Coronavirus Crisis – Impact Of COVID-19 On Healthcare Industry

The novel coronavirus has infected over 472,529 people, claiming 21,305 lives (as of March 26, 2020) in a mere span of months. Economies and healthcare systems are under immense pressure to bring the situation under control. COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has spread to nearly 160 countries in less than three months. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

Disruptions in the Healthcare Supply Chain:

With a shortage of hand sanitizers, counterfeiting of face masks, and many other disruptions in supply chain channels, coronavirus has already created havoc in global markets. Disruptions in the healthcare supply chain have significantly impacted the sourcing, procurement, and management of necessary medical equipment inventories. China is among the largest suppliers of a majority of healthcare commodities, namely pharmaceutical APIs and components of medical devices. But with China as the epicenter for the pandemic, the healthcare sector is exposed to the risk of COVID-19.

As a response to supply chain disruptions, healthcare facilities have started stockpiling available products. Such unrestricted purchasing is further imposing financial pressure on the healthcare sector, which is already suffering issues such as procurement inefficiencies and wasted spend. This has also led to the yield of compromised quality of care. Several instances of sanitizer and face masks counterfeiting have been noted in developing countries, which could negatively impact the healthcare sector as a whole.

As per Operation Pangea XIII, in which 90 countries’ health regulatory authorities, customs, and police have been involved against the illicit online sales of medical products and medicines, 121 arrests were made globally with the seizure of potentially dangerous pharmaceutical products worth USD 14 million in this dire situation of COVID-19.

Fall of Healthcare Systems due to COVID-19?

The U.S. has the most developed healthcare systems globally. High healthcare costs and low medical capacity have made the country’s healthcare system vulnerable to COVID-19, similar to all other economies. Unlike the U.S., other countries with universal healthcare are testing more people for COVID-19 and seem to be combating it in a better way.

Among developed countries, Northern Italy has one of the best public healthcare systems with well-trained medical professionals and doctors. Earlier, the region showed preparedness for COVID-19; however, in the present day scenario, the country’s healthcare system has been pushed to the breaking point.

COVID-19 has affected frontline workers in the healthcare sector, which primarily includes medical professionals. 20–30% of healthcare professionals have been affected by COVID-19, and there have been 2,500 deaths from COVID-19 in Italy in the span of a month, with over 31,500 confirmed cases. As a measure to lower the healthcare system’s burden, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte issued a lockdown of Italy’s Lombardy region on March 8, effectively quarantining over 16 million people in the north.

Governments are undertaking various initiatives to control the situation. For instance, as the number of confirmed cases in India is increasing, government officials have added 12,000 beds at central government facilities, including Indian Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) facilities.

Measures Taken to Combat the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic:

Partnerships among governments and private players for COVID-19 vaccine development
Strategies for planning for medicines supply chain challenges
AbbVie partnered with global regulators to support the use of HIV medicines for the treatment of COVID-19
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. expanded its collaboration with Vir to advance RNAi therapeutics
Genentech initiated a Phase III clinical trial of Actemra in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia
EpiVax is identifying key regions of viral sequences to include in a COVID-19 vaccine
GSK is supplying vaccine adjuvant technology to scientists and organizations working on a vaccine
Grifols has shared technology in convalescent plasma and is working on diagnostic and screening tests
Chloroquine to be tested for coronavirus treatment in the U.S.
Launch of a global mega-trial for the four most promising coronavirus treatments by the WHO
Potential Impact of COVID-19 on Pharma & Biotech Industries:

Potential supply chain disruptions as the U.S.discontinues monitoring the supply chain
Shortage of critical medical products
Delays in the manufacture & import of APIs & excipients
Distressed medical facilities with a lack of employees
The USA FDA’s willingness to become more flexible for priority drugs
Import of medical devices from china
Delays in potential drug applications
Restricted product promotions
Conclusion:

The coronavirus pandemic has tremendously impacted the healthcare sector, including pharmaceutical and medical devices. The sector has experienced a declining growth rate in the first quarter of 2020. It will take the coming two to three years for it to return to normal, where the strategies for mitigating the impact will be fully functional. Till then, the healthcare sector is expected to grow at a stagnant rate.

OVERVIEW: WHERE TO GET AN ABORTION?

But does that mean, being a woman is a curse in this world? The answer is a straight NO!

Women are among the best and thrilling creatures alive on the earth due to one of the most important abilities they possess. The ability to give birth to a new human being to this land. Though, this ability can evolve into a curse, if the pregnancy is unwanted and unplanned.

As humans being a social animal, there are several norms set by the ancestors which have taken a different approach in this new way of the world. These rigid and patriarchal norms are orthodoxy in the given time and require an absolute change. A woman can only give birth to a child if she desires because of the basic motive of her nurturing the child lifetime.

Though, this is possible for a happily married woman. Yet, what if the cause of pregnancy is some unfortunate event? What if the pregnancy is a result of failed pills or condoms? What if early pregnancy is due to a lack of sex education? There are a lot of reasons a woman can fall into this natural phase.

The complication arises when one is limiting herself for an unwanted pregnancy due to the typical norms and conditions of society. In India, abortion is legal. The law permits abortion for any circumstances that fall under the predetermined ones. The existing circumstances in which one can go for abortion in India are as follows:

If the pregnancy is due to unfortunate situations. (Rape, sexual assault, and so on)
If the pregnancy is due to failed contraceptives.
If the pregnancy has a substantial risk for continuing the pregnancy to the child as well as the soon-to-be-mother.
If the pregnancy can lead to a major drawback to the woman involved.
Due to the reason of considering abortion as a taboo in several parts of India, the complications tend to rise as the information about abortion hospitals in India and several things pertaining to it comes to a halt. And still, the question remains. “Where to get an abortion?”

There are very few officially stated medical institutes that provide abortions despite the personal opinion of the doctor. The opinion of the doctor is secondary as compared to the woman bearing a child, and the major flaw of the system is that medical practitioners contribute to the norms of the society neglecting the facts of reality grounds of the women involved.

Medical support should be used to eradicate problems rather than creating more. Yet, this flaw has generated a rise in illegal practices of abortion vividly in India. The stage of early pregnancy abortion is also considered to be the utmost shame a girl can go through. The highly recorded illegal abortion in India is the early pregnancy abortion. This rise of illegal practices has several heinous counter-reactions to the girl involved.

And this needs to stop! In the 21st century, a woman or a girl does not require to shy away from standing for herself before the orthodox norms. So, here we are introducing you to one of the safest medically legal abortion centres in India where you can avail of all the requirements feasible.

Vardaan hospital is one of the safest medical institutions for an early pregnancy abortion or any unwanted abortions. Here, the patient is given all the treatments and support possible for her well-being under the consent of her parents or guardians. If the girl is willingly desiring to keep the child at her teenage phase, Vardaan hospital has services for that as well. Such as

Balancing pregnancy with school and relationships.
Healthy habits during pregnancy.
Talking to loved ones about pregnancy.
Motherhood.
New-born care.
The change begins with one individual. And if this article reaches even a single person, we count it as our success. So, the next time someone around asks you, “Where to get an abortion?” you know the answer well and good.

How does NDIS help specially-abled parents?

Parenting is the most beautiful experience anyone can have which brings along special memories with children.

For all parents, seeing their children prosper and grow is not only a beautiful but soulful journey. Though not easy but this special stage of life can become even more difficult when you are a parent living with a disability.

As a parent whether you are living with physical, emotional, intellectual, or any mental health condition, complexities can become even more when you are trying to devote time to your health.

But NDIS is always there to assist you to help you meet your needs. This is how NDIS can help you while you are dealing with disability-

When you are dealing with an intellectual disability

As a parent if you are dealing with an intellectual disability then raising children can add more pressures to your life. If you have an intellectual disability then assisting your kids to learn and comprehend can be hard.

You may also find it hard to look for a job for yourself. In such conditions, you or your loved one definitely needs additional support from family and friends. So don’t be hesitant to take help from your loved ones.

NDIS can help you with funding and support and it can be of great help during your parenting process.

Parenting when you are facing physical disability

Depending upon the type of disability you are facing, it can become difficult for you to create a bond with your child especially when it requires feeding your child, holding, or chasing them around in the house.

You can also face social challenges as you might not be available to go out with them.

It can affect your parenting and you may find it harder to keep up with your job, children at the same time.

Despite all these challenges, parents who are suffering from physical disability find ways to deal with and overcome their limitations.

NDIS helps in providing support for assistive technology or aid equipment apart from other supports. It can help you accomplish day to day tasks with ease so that you can spend more time with your children.

Keeping yourself positive will help you deal with challenges easily and will boost your self-confidence.

When you are dealing with mental health conditions

Mental health issues are not uncommon now. Most individuals suffer from mood disorders, antenatal, or postnatal depression which are mostly short term.

Whereas there are other conditions which can be long-term too and can have a major impact on a person’s life.

You may even feel that you are failing as a parent. But don’t worry as it does not make you a bad parent. It simply means that you need little or extra support to help you.

If you are suffering from any of such conditions, then you may qualify for NDIS. In Australia, there are numerous NDIS service providers offering healthcare support as per your needs and requirements. If your disability is affecting your ability to take care of your family, then it is the right time to take assistance from a professional service provider.

Let your disability not get in your way of spending quality time with your children. Don’t hesitate to take assistance from professionals who can make your parenting journey rewarding and fulfilling.