Preventing disease and strengthening health system are key while opening up economies

ALTHOUGH some parts of the world are reporting another rise in new Covid-19 infections, many countries are doing away with pandemic-related public health and social measures that were put in place over two years ago. Experts of Organized Medicine Academic Guild of India (OMAG) raised the alarm and called for layered safeguards with "One World One Health" approach while we rebuild a more equitable social and economic order for everyone.

During the recent and ongoing wave of Covid-19, nine out of every 10 people who were hospitalized due to the coronavirus, were unvaccinated. It is clear that vaccinations against Covid-19 helps reduce the risk of being hospitalized or dying if one gets infected with coronavirus. Dr. Ishwar Gilada, secretary general of OMAG and noted infectious disease expert, said in the recently concluded national conference of Indian Association of Pediatricians (Pedicon 2022) that SMSV (social distancing, masks, sanitation and vaccination) approach is a central cog in the wheel as we open up social mixing and economic activities and relax Covid-19 protocols. "Around the world emerging data has demonstrated how vaccination has reduced hospitalizations and deaths. "More than 90 percent of the hospitalizations due to the recent Omicron wave were among the unvaccinated," said Dr. Gilada.