2020 one of ‘darkest periods in human history’: Karnataka Health Minister K. Sudhakar

Karnataka, with a population of 7.07 crore, has just 17,409 active COVID-19 cases currently and has managed to flatten the curve as the country continues to register ten of thousands of cases daily.

Describing the year as one of the “darkest periods in human history”, Health and Medical Education Minister of Karnataka Dr K. Sudhakar has asked people to refrain from grand celebrations on New Year’s Eve.

In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Sudhakar speaks about the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 infections and how equipped our healthcare system is to store and distribute vaccines.

Excerpts from the interview:

Is Karnataka heading towards a second wave of infections?

Looking at the virus behavior across the world, there have been a couple of spikes in some areas. In Karnataka, there was only one spike yet since the outbreak began in March. The state hit its peak between late July and October. The curve has flattened during the last two months. The state has recorded fewer than 1,300 cases daily since November.

So, I feel the second wave in Karnataka may not be as bad as the first one.

What causes the second wave?

We have resumed economic activities. Higher education institutions are allowed to open. Elderly parents or grandparents who stay put contract the infection from young adults they live with.

Some people never stepped out of their homes during the last nine months. They have started moving around as there has been a decline in cases. They don’t realize how risky it is. Elderly people and those with comorbidities should observe reverse quarantine till we are through with the vaccine process. Such people, in my opinion, should get the vaccine first along with health workers.

When will we have a vaccine?

It’s a very tricky question. As a medical doctor and health minister, I need to be cautious while answering this question. As we all know, developing a vaccine involves different phases of clinical trials. The safety and efficacy of the vaccine is tested during the trials. Scientists are working round the clock to make the vaccine available in the shortest time possible. Never before in the history of mankind has a vaccine been developed so quickly.

I am optimistic that we will have a safe and effective vaccine, duly approved by WHO (World Health Organisation) and DCGI (The Drug Controller General of India) by first quarter of 2020-2021.

Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Covishield developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca offer much promise. Distribution of the Pfizer vaccine can a bit challenging for countries like India-it needs to be stored at low temperatures. Our healthcare system is not equipped to handle it. At present, we have the logistical capacity to store vaccines at -2 degree Celcius only.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory?

None of the vaccines in the history of medicine were mandatory. We are not going to insist everybody takes the COVID-19 vaccine. I feel vaccination shouldn’t be made mandatory. There are people out there who could perhaps have been exposed to the virus but didn’t fall sick. They could be resistant to the infection. Such people needn’t take the vaccine.

Preference will be given to frontline workers who get exposed to the virus continuously. For instance healthcare workers. Those who are at an increased risk of infection due to comorbidities also be given priority. The virus keeps mutating. Once the body is exposed to an infection, it is better equipped to deal with such infections in future. That is known as innate immunity.

When it comes to vaccine distribution, I feel normal healthy adults can wait. They must have been resistant to the infection in the last ten months. So they needn’t take the vaccine now.

There are concerns about the safety of the vaccine.

Such concerns are addressed during the clinical trials. I wouldn’t say the vaccines will not cause any adverse effects. They can happen. The pills we pop sometimes cause side effects. It is all chemical composition. Every drug has some kind of effect on human body. We should know what kind of an effect the vaccine could cause post administration. It will be handled by clinicians.

I wouldn’t say the vaccine is completely devoid of side effects. It is still being studied. Hopefully, there won’t be any serious side effects once the vaccine is available for public use.

Will you take the vaccine?

I will once it is approved by the regulatory bodies.

How is the testing rate in Karnataka? Are we testing enough?

We have achieved less than 1 per cent positivity rate and yet we haven’t reduced testing.

What kind of action are you planning to take against private hospitals that overcharge COVID-19 patients?

We’ve received 122 written complaints against private hospitals pertaining to overcharging. We’ve issued notices to them. Strict action will be taken against these hospitals. We didn’t take action earlier as we were short of clinical facilities. It will be based o the provisions of the KPME (Karnataka Private Medical Establishment) Act. We’ve formed committees to deal with it.

Could new rules deter New Year’s Eve revelers?

Social gatherings could spread the infection. We have banned all kinds of social gatherings till January 2. It also means that celebrations on MG Road, Brigade Road or other parts of the state will not be allowed on New Year’s Eve.

Why should we celebrate? What is there to celebrate in 2020? It has been one of the darkest periods in human history. Many have lost their near and dear ones. Thousands have lost their jobs. Governments are hit hard by the financial crisis. There is nothing to celebrate.