Science, tech group to look into long-term solutions

NEW DELHI: With the entire world battling the Covid-19 outbreak that has killed at least 35,000 people, Indian scientists have come t ogether t o help f ront- l i ne healthcare workers by devising cheaper ventilators, new diagnostics kits that can be manufactured in the country, innovative personal protective equipment, and newer ways to disinfect hospitals.

Now, scientists are looking for long-term solutions like vaccines and drugs to protect against the disease.

Technology is also aiding the government in training its nurses and doctors on various measures to tackle the disease through webinars during the lockdown. Telemedicine is also being offered with out-patient clinics in hospitals getting disrupted.

The country’s principal scientific advisor (PSA), K Vijay Raghavan, took to Twitter on Sunday night to inform people about the ongoing science and technology activities. A science and tech core group has been set up under him that will set priorities and guide research work for Covid-19.

“We have a powerful enemy designed, by chance, over millions of years. It is powerful but unintelligent. Its ways are getting better known each day. For success, we must be relentless, use our science at the right time and place and act intelligently and not randomly.

“So, our scientists’ task is to address all aspects of the short-, medium-, and long-haul; in a manner where we are never fatigued, but the virus is. We each need to play our part to help t he government’s and t he world’s efforts succeed,” said Prof Vijayraghavan on Twitter.