Disaster creates a scope of redevelopment

     

On January 26th, 2001, an extremely devastating earthquake of Magnitude 7.7 Mw (USGS) occurred in Gujarat. This earthquake shook not only Gujarat govt but Government of India too. The effect of the earthquake was felt throughout the Indian sub-continent. Over 7,000 villages in 19 districts were affected either severely or moderately. 13,805 people lost their lives and more than 1,67,000 were injured. About 1.2 million houses were damaged partially or completely. Social infrastructure and public infrastructure were severely damaged. More than 1,000 health units and 12,000 schools were damaged. Roads, bridges, Public buildings, Dams and irrigation structures were also affected severely.

The Gujarat earthquake did not only result in changes in focus from relief to mitigation and setting up of institutional mechanism at state and at the National level, but emphasis now is being laid on disaster mitigation. A compressive Disaster Management Act 2005 enacted. Through its sections, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) at national level, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) at State level and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) were established. A National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) for capacity building and for response a unique type of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was established. Today these institutions are doing very well worldwide and every Indian proud on it.

Similarly, we should take this Corona as a chance to redefine our public health and family welfare system. We can create a chain of hospitals and improve the ratio of population to hospital. We can have a plan to improve many folds of our health worker forces. We can improve our production lines for production of sanitizer, mask, safety suites and all types of Public Protective Equipment (PPE). Otherwise also our public health system is not at par. So, I wish a total overhauling of our public health system.