India would see a staggering 1 million deaths from Covid-19 by August 1, and if that were to happen, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government would be responsible for presiding over a self-inflicted national catastrophe, prestigious medical journal The Lancet has said.In an editorial, The Lancet said that India 'squandered its early successes in controlling Covid-19' and now finds itself having to restructure its response while the crisis rages.
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Stating that the Modi government will have to own up to its mistakes, provide responsible leadership and transparency, the journal said that the government should publish accurate data and explain to the people what is happening and what is needed to break the chain, including the possibility of a new nationwide lockdown.Calling the government's actions in 'attempting to stifle criticism and open discussion during the crisis are inexcusable', The Lancet cited data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation to predict that India could see a staggering 1 million Covid-19 deaths by August 1.
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The nearly 200-year-old reputed journal said that despite warnings about the risks of superspreader events, 'the government allowed religious festivals to go ahead, drawing millions of people from around the country, along with huge political rallies—conspicuous for their lack of Covid-19 mitigation measures'.'The message that Covid-19 was essentially over also slowed the start of India's vaccination campaign, which has vaccinated less than 2 per cent of the population,' The Lancet said.
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The journal said that the 'botched vaccination campaign' must be rationalised and implemented immediately by increasing vaccine supply and setting up a distribution campaign covering urban and rural, and poorer citizens.'The government must work with local and primary healthcare centres that know their communities and create an equitable distribution system for the vaccine,' the journal said.
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