Covid-19 has made us better prepared for future pandemics: US expert

Nagpur: Renowned pulmonary and critical care medicine specialist, Dr Akhil Bindra from Cleveland Clinic, USA, shared his insights on the global lessons learnt from Covid-19 on Monday.
"The world has become more aware of the vulnerabilities exposed by Covid-19," he said. "We learnt that by strengthening our healthcare systems and fostering open and transparent dialogue with the public.Also, a strong leadership can better respond to future health crises," Bindra said.
Dr Bindra was speaking at an international seminar held at Datta Meghe Medical College (DMMC). He emphasised the significance of preparedness and effective communication in mitigating the impact of future pandemics.
Dr Bindra lauded India's response and leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, stating, "India's approach to the pandemic was exemplary, and the country's leadership played a crucial role in mitigating its impact." He emphasised that the world is now better equipped to handle future pandemics, thanks to the lessons learnt from Covid-19.
The expert also delved on the evolution of the Covid-19 virus, noting that the current strain is significantly different from the one that emerged in 2020. This has led to speculation about the virus's origins, with some suggesting that it may have been artificially engineered. However, Dr Bindra said that the exact cause of Covid-19 remains a subject of ongoing research.
Addressing concerns about the future, Dr Bindra stated that while Covid-19 may have subsided, the threat of new pandemics persists. "The virus has changed significantly since 2020, and we cannot predict its future behaviour," he said. "It is crucial to remain vigilant and prepared for potential outbreaks."
Dr Bindra also discussed the role of vaccines in combating Covid-19. He praised India's traditional viral vector-based vaccines for their safety and effectiveness, while acknowledging the ongoing debate in the USA regarding mRNA-based vaccines. Despite controversies, he stressed that vaccines were instrumental in saving lives and facilitating social reconnection.
The seminar highlighted the advancements made in medical knowledge and infrastructure worldwide, particularly in India. Dr Bindra concluded that while there may be differences in resources and systems between countries, the core medical knowledge is universal.
Dr Amit Deshpande from DMMC spoke on the epidemiology of Covid-19, while Dr Sumer Chaudhary from Shalinitai Meghe Hospital & Research Centre (SMHRC) spoke about clinical features and laboratory diagnosis. Dr Shrikant Malegaonkar from AIIMS Nagpur explained the long-Covid complications, while Dr Shweta Borkar from DMMC spoke on post-Covid sequelae.
BOX
LESSONS LEARNT FROM COVID-19
Need for robust healthcare systems to handle future health crises
International cooperation crucial for addressing global health threats
Importance of digital technologies in healthcare and communication
Interconnectedness of human health and the environment
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