Omicron effect on healthcare systems in South Asia

COVID-19 infections are increasing alarmingly across South Asia, from India to Nepal and Bangladesh

FREMONT, CA: The Omicron variation is fueling a COVID-19 outbreak in South Asia that threatens to overburden health facilities still reeling from a catastrophic Delta variant outbreak in 2021. COVID-19 infections are increasing alarmingly across South Asia, from India to Nepal and Bangladesh, with India alone reporting a 2,013 percent spike in COVID-19 infections in December, 2021, with cases currently reaching 179,000 every day.

Hundreds of millions of people in South Asia are suffering much more as a result of the new wave, which has been exacerbated by COVID-19 during the last two years. Udaya Regmi, Head of Delegation for South Asia for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said that this latest COVID-19 outbreak poses a grave threat to millions of people and health-care systems across South Asia. Omicron is spreading quickly, and while vaccination rates have been increasing, fears of record infection rates have grown as a result of last year's sad loss of life.

People all across the world want this pandemic to end, but everyone needs to step up their efforts to keep people safe by wearing masks, avoiding crowds, and being fully vaccinated where feasible. Last year, the International Fund for Relief and Development (IFRC) boosted health systems across South Asia by increasing oxygen equipment supplies, allowing health officials to prepare for the newest COVID-19 outbreak.

Several million Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers are working tirelessly to offer lifesaving medical treatment, testing, and immunizations to those who are most vulnerable. In South Asia, the majority of countries have only vaccinated less than half of their population, placing individuals at risk of serious sickness and hospitalization. According to Oxford University's Our World in Data, India has fully immunized 45 percent of its population, whereas Pakistan has 32.8 percent and Bangladesh has 33 percent.