The battle of survival against the coronavirus has polished our defences towards the other health irregularities as well. With an active fight that has almost lasted half a year now, surging mortality count due to infection has a silver lining after all. The pandemic has altered, changed and improved health, safety and food habits among majority of people. A majority of the population has become health and lifestyle conscious and this has diminished their vulnerability to other common diseases and flues.
The Flip Side of the COVID-19 Pandemic
As per data revealed by the UP Government, “The number of non-Covid deaths in government, army and railway hospitals in 2018 was 51,439. In 2019 the number declined to 47,939 but this year it has drastically come down to 24,964. In the same way the decrease in overall toll was also seen. For instance, between January and June last year, there were 4,97,383 deaths in the state. During the same time period this year, the toll stood at 2,91,387. Though there is a deviation in this number every month, the reduction in overall mortality rate was a good sign. This change is visible especially in view of the changing attitude of people towards health.”
As the pandemic still poses a grave threat to human life, precautions against it are developing immunity against general illnesses also. With the drastic fall in the traffic levels on roads due to the lockdown and the phased unlocked, a substantial fall in the number of road accidents was also observed as per the reports and data collected from various hospitals and health departments in the state.
Gorakhpur chest specialist Dr. V.N. Aggarwal said, “The lowest number of deaths occurred when the lockdown was strictly in force. The absence of road accidents due to traffic closure was also a major factor contributing to it. Deaths due to environmental pollution also declined. Mortality rates for heart patients have also decreased due to the increased awareness towards health. This is also a positive sign.”
In Uttar Pradesh itself, 4,79,383 people died from January 2019 to June 2019 due to general illnesses and other reasons as compared to 2,91,387 people in the corresponding period this year. This is evident from data for the last three years.
-With inputs from IANS
