Health

Does your health insurance cover testing and treatment for the novel coronavirus disease? Should you be worried about the heavy charges billed by private hospitals? Will you be reimbursed 100% by your insurer? Here is what you need to know about the health insurance policies that cover COVID-19.  Should you take a new insurance policy for covering COVID? It may not be necessary. In view of the pandemic situation, most insurance companies have modified their existing policy to include COVID treatment without charging an additional premium. Some of the companies who have done this are LIC, Oriental Insurance, New India…

“My friend’s son failed in his 12th standard exams. He took his life that evening” - Shikha* “I myself had attempted suicide once. I was 23/24 then and straddled with a baby and a mom-in-law with the most acidic tongue, who kept telling me how ugly, dark and unsuitable I was for her dashing, talented son. Little did I know then that she wasn't able to handle clear thinking, razor sharp minds and smart women. She felt that she could control me better if she put me down every time.” - Prerana* The above are just two examples of the…

The mathematical projections of MGR University indicate that there could be 1.5 lakh COVID-19 patients in Chennai by mid-July and the incidence of infection could peak in October. Going by the fact that the varsity’s projections on Chennai have been proven right so far, it is best to brace ourselves to deal with the crisis as it is quite likely to knock upon every one of our homes.  How does one stay prepared, though? Well, this is my own account, an observation of the crisis from close quarters, which might help in  understanding how the system works as it is…

The earlier articles in this series looked at the urban poor running out of cash and the stark reality of hunger during lockdown. In this part, we see the psychological effects of the lockdown on the poor. Parimala (name changed) can barely contain her tears. Between the sobbing, her words become less coherent. Clearly anxious, she checks the front door every now and then, lest her husband finds her speaking to someone. “It’s almost time for him to return from the liquor shop. Hopefully, if he is in a happy or a relaxed mood, my children and I don’t have…

COVID-19 has led to another grave medical crisis in the city. Chennai, a national hub of healthcare, is now reeling under shortage of blood, leaving no option for critically-ill patients but to merely wait indefinitely for their turn. Most rare blood groups are unavailable in all the 19 government and private blood banks in Chennai, according to data from the national web portal e-raktkosh.  An analysis of the data shows that washed blood cells, plasma and Bombay blood group are unavailable in the 19 blood banks in Chennai. Another critical component, single donor platelets, is available only in one bank.…

Chennai has seen a steady increase in the number of cases over the past two weeks. The city hit 10,000 cases on May 24th. In just over two weeks from the date,  the total number of cases has more than doubled, and the tally on June 11th stood at 27,398. The number of deaths stand at 279.  Recent days have seen citizens share harrowing accounts of  their inability to find beds and timely care for COVID+ family members. There are several reports of patients being forced to wait hours at public hospitals to be accommodated.  With the rising number of…

At 10 am on June 10th, Delhi government’s Corona Dashboard showed a total of 9021 COVID-19 beds, of which 4873 were occupied and 4148 were vacant. The availability of ventilators was 494 with 262 being used and 232 lying idle. These are figures as updated by the Central and Delhi state government and private COVID treatment facilities. And this Dashboard pattern showing about half the beds lying unoccupied has been there for the past many weeks. Yet, recent days have seen social media bursting with stories of patients going from hospital to hospital in search of a bed and being turned…

It took Chennai just two months to hit the 24,000-mark in COVID-positive counts. Economic compulsions, however, have led the administration to take steps towards easing restrictions in some areas. Stand alone shops, salons and dine-in restaurants have resumed operations in a number of areas. And it is increasingly becoming evident that people will have to learn to live with the virus for some more time to come. Masking up, frequent handwashing, physical distancing - these are some of the steps that we must follow as we gradually adapt to life in a post-COVID world. Below are a few standard protocols…

As it makes its way through crowds of unsuspecting people, the COVID-19 disease leaves behind a trail of physical and mental misery, showing no bias in whom it attacks. But the epidemic has come with in-built compensation. In the lockdown that followed, the world rediscovered nature – in the form of clear skies, clean rivers, quiet surroundings, breathable air...and traditional medicine.  Traditional medicine in use across states The Kerala model, recognised for its success, has asserted that Ayurveda preparations are part of the treatment of Covid-19 patients. “Integrated treatment protocol” they call it. That life-long intake of Ayurvedic concoctions has…

Removing her thali (mangalsutra), Kripa (name changed), a staff nurse left for her workplace at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) a fortnight ago. That morning remains etched in her mind: it was the first time she removed the thali in over ten years of marriage and left home to be away from her family for fourteen days at a stretch. Kripa is a senior nurse tending to critically ill patients at the COVID ward of the government hospital. “We have to remove all jewels and accessories when we report to duty, as the virus can stay longer on…