Coronavirus in India - it is Time to Act - M.A.Aleem BMJ 2020;368:m919

BMJ  British Medical Journal 

Feature

Medicine and the Media

Covid-19: are we getting the communications right?

BMJ 2020; 368 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m919 (Published 06 March 2020)

Cite this as: BMJ 2020;368:m919

 

Rapid response  

Re: Covid-19: are we getting the communications right?

Dear Editor

Coronavirus in India - it is Time to Act

World is responding to prevent the spread of coronavirus in many ways. In India still the public gathering is continuing for travel in bus stand and railway station, for worshiping God at temples and for the prayers at Churches and Mosques.

Still now the political and public meetings are organised even by government.

In India only we are know the "tip of the iceberg" about the coronavirus infection spread As of now on 15.3.2020 about 108 cases with 2 death. It is because of fear about Hospital admissions, quarantine observation and the fear of discrimination. There are also inadequate testing facilities and delay in getting the test results in time.

The need of the hour is the transparency to know the real situation . This will help to plan and face the forthcoming health and economic issue related to coronavirus spread in a population rich country like india with 70% living in rural area with inadequate health facilities .

So it is the time to act by everyone including the administrators to contribute to prevent the coronavirus spread as per the International (WHO) and National health authority guidelines.

Competing interests: No competing interests

15 March 2020

M.A.Aleem 

Emeritus Professor of Neurology * Visiting Specialist in Neurology ** Consultant Neurologist ***

The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R. Medical University * Dhanalakshami Srinivasan Medical College ** ABC Hospital ***

Chennai 600032* Perambalure 621212** Trichy 620018*** Tamilnadu India

@drmaaleem