Post COVID-19: Public Health Opportunities For Health Management Professionals

The impact of Corona-virus has been unanticipated in every industry across the world. By heralding the onset of unforeseen  and undesirable effects, the pandemic has made things difficult. Despite the efforts of the governments and communities, public and private healthcare systems are fighting a battle against the largely unknown enemy while coping with a lack of adequate personnel and resources.Amongst all the sectors, the health sector  is one such field where COVID-19 has left behind or is heralding the signs of the great depression. People are afraid to enter hospitals while at the same time clinical staff are stressed in handling the situations and trying to keep themselves safe!

 Though it looked like the situation was under control in India, we now see that there is wider spread and fear in the country. Globally, cases are rising and India’s statistics are also rising and we might end up on a very higher side of people affected by the pandemic. The healthcare industry is in the need for health management professionals who can handle such emerging scenarios and are updated with the latest skills and required techniques. Whether they are doctors, nurses, lab technicians, hospital managers, or healthcare administrators, the medical industry requires a continuous stream of skilled health managers who can support the clinical staff and support the system. The demand is at a higher pace and seems to outrun the supply. As we look at the sudden shortage faced by public and private hospitals in India, we notice that there is a dearth of qualified and skilled personnel who are ready to take up the challenge and are also ably supported by the system.

Before Vs. After Lock-down Healthcare 

In the last few years, there has been a significant change in healthcare delivery systems across the world in many ways. However, world-class facilities in India have only been accessible to those who can afford them and sometimes unavailable for Indian citizens by available for medical tourists from across the world. India has traditionally been one of those countries with a weak public healthcare system for decades. 

In countries with state-funded healthcare systems, response to the virus and other diseases have been most-effective. India is suffering currently due to the absence of a uniform policy to deal with such pandemics, advisory task-forces that advice the State governments are mainly comprising of clinicians whereas the need of our hour is public health professionals, epidemiologists and health economists to be in the fore front of decision making.

With over 1.6 million positive cases worldwide, novel corona-virus has achieved higher spread than  pandemic in history at a given point in time. Comparing to SARS of 2003, the greater speed of this infection has resulted in a significant death toll which is continuously mounting. 

In terms of India’s advances thus far even if we look back at the suggestions of the Joseph Bhore Committee report from pre-Independence India, not much sustained investment in overall improvement of public health infrastructure is seen even though many missions and many committees have played their due part. The surrounding environment and awareness regarding proper waste management, sanitation, water, food safety, etc. remain a far cry. Deaths from contagious diseases in India are much higher than the global average as per the latest data and studies. We have thus far not been able to completely overcome the communicable diseases burden while we are now facing the double burden of non-communicable diseases increasing in India. 

The best response and defence to managing the community’s health is a strong and supported healthcare system which is well resourced, staffed and commendable in terms of technology, skill, supplies, reach and effectiveness. The building block framework of WHO is the guiding light in ensuring a country has a well-supported and staffed public health system.

The post-Corona era might be the best opportunity for a health reboot in India. There are precise specifications that are needed to be fulfilled are mentioned below: 

 

1. The requirement of  qualified, skilled and an updated health workforce is essential in ensuring provision of healthcare to the populace
2. Need for cutting edge technology concerning intensive care beds, ventilators, and personal protective equipment for doctors, nurses, and other hospital professionals. 
3. The government's funding system should be able to offer free tests for detection and should offer significant subsidies to other private diagnostic providers too. 
4. Increased demand for healthcare professionals either to manage the hospital staff and treat the patients with all the necessary diagnosis and early screening. 
5. Target implementation for public health emergencies with appropriate management plans and legal framework for dealing with disasters such as the novel corona-virus. 
6. Community awareness towards hygiene and sustainable environment for a long-term positive impact with the help of health, social science graduates and medical professionals.
7. Easy procurement strategies for pharmaceuticals supply, vaccine availability with the focus on encouraging medical equipment made in India  
8. Appropriate use of Technology, adapting telemedicine as per requirements and training of health professionals to be able to use technology as a means to offer better healthcare.

There is a need to equip our current health graduates and medical students to be updated, skilled and ready to handle and manage healthcare and this requires continuous development, training and career path development for our health graduates.