‘Vaccine journey has been inspirational’
As India enters the next phase of the vaccination drive from Monday, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan speaks to Rhythma Kaul on the country’s Covid-19 battle so far and how the government engaged in negotiations over the past few days to ensure that the cost of vaccination remains low at private hospitals. Edited excerpts:
How was the price limit of ₹250 per dose at private hospitals achieved?
There was a lot of effort that went from the government side to ensure that the prices remained nominal even for those who wanted to take the shot at a private health care facility. Days of detailed and intense negotiations went behind making sure that private players brought down the cost of vaccination to this level. And see the results – we successfully managed to cap the cost at ₹250 per dose, making it about ₹500 to get fully vaccinated. However, it has been left up to private hospitals if they are okay about charging a lower amount but the maximum amount cannot be more than ₹250 per dose.
The Centre has expanded vaccination sites by roping in private hospitals as
Covid vaccination centres across the country. Do you think it will help?
Of course, the pace of vaccination will increase in coming days. You must understand that the Indian government has decided to vaccinate nearly every citizen. It is a tall order but we have had the courage to implement it. At government hospitals, vaccination services are being provided free of cost but if a certain section of beneficiaries has its reservation about getting vaccinated in the government system, those persons should have a choice of opting for a private health facility. Since it is a private facility, it will be a paid service, and our aim was to ensure that the price remained affordable for all.
How would you describe the past one year of dealing with the outbreak?
The past one year has been really tough but our scientists and medical fraternity have risen to the occasion and ensured that we do not lose too many lives to this pandemic. At about 1.4%, India’s death rate has remained lower than the global average. Corona warriors have done a commendable job in managing the pandemic, and the best part is that families of these warriors did not dissuade them from executing their professional duty. India’s vaccine journey is also successful and inspirational. I have said this before that year 2020 is the year of science.
What is the one thing that comes to your mind when looking back at 2020?
There are several things that we managed to achieve despite restrictions and limitations but the foremost is India’s vaccine journey that is both successful and inspirational. Two Covid-19 vaccines are already in use, and many more will get added in weeks to come. The effort has been for the good of not just India but the entire world as close to two dozen countries are already using vaccine supplies sent by us.
What lessons have been learnt?
There are a lot of learnings but most important is we have to keep ourself future-ready to deal with public health emergencies. This year’s budget has focused on looking into the future and that is what we are going to aim at. From increasing manpower, to strengthening infectious disease surveillance by upgrading laboratories , establishing mobile hospitals in remote areas, there is a lot to be done.