Strategies of India against coronavirus disease-2019: A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis

Abstract

The coronavirus disease-2019 is a rapidly progressing pandemic that has jeopardized health infrastructure in many countries. India was to some extent successful to slow the rate of spread of disease by implementing multipronged strategies. Unfortunately, despite all efforts, the disease is rapidly progressing in India. The aim of this review is to critically appraise the strategies adopted by the Government of India to tackle this pandemic and to suggest suitable strategies for the current scenario. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis was done to assess the current scenario. Delayed and selective implementation of regulation on international travel, self-reporting of symptoms and undue reliance of thermal scanning for screening at the point of entry screening, poorly monitored home quarantine strategy with noncompliance, narrow testing strategy at the beginning with inability to capture asymptomatic case were some of the loopholes identified in the existing strategy. Improvement of inter-sectoral coordination by the development of Multi-disciplinary Epidemic Management board, involvement of AYUSH, judicious use of health manpower, and capacity development for indigenous production of personal protective equipment and other logistics, up-gradation of rural health facility and preparedness for second wave are the key recommendations.

Keywords

• coronavirus disease 2019
• entry screening
• quarantine
• strengths
• weaknesses
• opportunities
• threats analysis