No one is protected until everyone is protected this was said by India and South Africa in World Trade Organization meet of 2020. To make vaccine available to everyone and every country patent issues of important materials should not be raised. Atleast till this pandemic is controlled. It focuses on waiver of few provisions of Trade Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement to boost vaccine production globally.
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| TRIPS Waiver Agreement |
About TRIPS Waiver
Although Waiver in TRIPS agreement is not enough because there are lot more challenges in it. The main area to focus is the supply of vaccines to the rural areas. Far eastern and Northern states where roads are not good especially in winter season (In present time) transport facilities is gets hugely affected. Although few more things include:-
1) Countries involved in vaccine production will get benefit of this TRIP Waiver because there is shortage of few raw materials and this waiver will help them to procure this materials from other Nations without any patent issues and problems.
2) There is tranfer of Knowledge between the Nations involved in vaccine production so that more effective vaccines can be produced which can suite people of all age groups.
3) Since more nations and firms will involve in vaccine production, there are chances of having a perfect vaccine against corona virus.
How is India Doing?
India has done a great job in vaccine production and distribution. As of now 72% Indians (Eligible) are fully vaccinated and 94% (Eligible) Indians have received there 1st Dose. This is an great achievement of India for a country with such a large population and uneasy terrain. Also government is providing this vaccines for free to make sure that everyone gets vaccinated. Through COWIN App people can register there slot and time suitable for them for vaccination.
This pandemic has opened eyes of everyone. Now people are more conscious about their health. Now Government is supporting Research and Development of vaccines, medicines even by small firms and institutions. Time has come to ease the path of Investment in this sector. This will helps us to prepare for any future pandemics. More focus is given to provide better medical facilities in rural areas.
Way Forward
Government should focus more on providing affordable health services. Schemes like Ayushmann Bharat Yojana is a good initiative but this scheme is not available at every hospitals. We have seen how there was shortage of ambulance during the 2nd wave of COVID-19, so to solve this problem each government healthcare centre should have atleast 2-3 Ambulance. Making it free of cost for Below Poverty Line people will be good for them.
Path of Investment in Research & Development units of pharmaceutical companies should be easen. More investment will open more opportunities for young brains which will create a healthy environment in this sector. This will solve many modern day problems related to health. Administration is doing good when it comes to Implementation of covid rules and regulations. They are the major warriors along with health care workers in this pandemic.
Doctors should be provided with adequate equipments as they are the one who will face this virus from first to last. In rural areas health clinics even lacks simple diagnostic machines. Government should look into this also work load on doctors should be reduced by recruiting interns from medical college on temporary and rotational basis.
Apart from this we have seen how self immunity has played a vital role to fight this virus. Self immunity can be improved by following healthy lifestyle and diet. Government school children who can't afford a complete balanced diet should be provided with 1 nutritious meal which should include all the necessary carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins etc atleast once in a day. Also people should be awared about regular exercise benefits. All this will helps us to fight this pandemic efficiently and effectively.
