The national capital Delhi is on the verge of earning the dubious distinction of being the ‘corona capital’ of the country. According to Delhi government estimates, the pandemic is spreading at such a rate that by the end of July, total number of infected people will go beyond 5.5 lakhs. The situation has reached such a point that on a recent online poll 96 per cent traders have voted in favour of closing shops and markets to avoid the infection. The pandemic has exposed the sorry state of healthcare in Delhi. Though, during the last Assembly elections, ruling Aam Admi Party’s (AAP) made it a major poll plank. Example of Mohalla Clinics, health centers providing free treatment, was projected as a major success of AAP government by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Covid-19 has shown the hollowness of such claims. Moreover, doctors working in various government hospitals in Delhi have not received their salaries for the past three months. They are now contemplating mass resignation if salaries are not paid at the earliest. “Delhi is fully prepared to face any situation arising out of this pandemic,” stated Mr. Kejriwal, earlier. However, the present situation in Delhi is juxtaposed to what the Chief Minister has stated before easing the restrictions imposed during lockdown. Now, finding himself in a corner the Chief Minister has decided not to engage in a fight with the centre as that would ensure victory for the pandemic. But the ground situation suggests that a truce at this juncture is not enough to bring back normalcy in Delhi as for years the health sector has been utterly neglected. A large number of people living in Delhi are still devoid of modern healthcare system. One may argue that AIIMS and other similar medical institutions were set up in Delhi long ago. But, the fact remains that even the famed AIIMS hospital is not well-equipped to combat a pandemic situation.
Now, to revive the situation, both the centre and the state government should work together on a war footing. The first step should be the clearance of dues owed to medical practitioners. Otherwise, there is no chance of winning against Covid-19 as the army will be filled with aggrieved soldiers. Secondly, number of tests should be increased as it has been found that while all other states have made much progress in this regard, Delhi’s performance is poor to say the least. Thirdly, vast improvement of medical infrastructure is needed. Since the day the pandemic has attacked Delhi, not much stress has been given to infrastructure. Facilities in government hospitals should be upgraded. The fourth priority should be cohesion amongst various civic bodies. At present, it appears that such bodies are working at cross-purposes. This is why the exact figure of deaths due to Covid-19 is still unknown. Last but not least, both the centre and the state should coordinate properly. Trust deficit between the two sides should not be allowed to grow. If such a situation prevails, it is only matter of time before the national capital gets completely overrun by this lethal virus.