India: Doctor breaks down as she discusses coronavirus situation
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India’s coronavirus crisis has reached a critical point with the World Health Organization (WHO) describing the situation as “beyond heartbreaking”. in an emotional video which has since gone viral, infectious diseases specialist Dr Trupti Gilada shared her harrowing experience of fighting the deadline virus. Speaking from her car, dressed in scrubs, she said: “I have never seen anything like this… we are so helpless.”
Breaking down in tears, she went on: “We have to manage so many patients, critically ill patients are being treated at home because there are no beds… we are not enjoying this.”
She added: “Please stay safe. If you have not yet gotten Covid or you were infected but have recovered, don’t think you are a superhero or that you have some immunity. You are wrong.
“We are seeing so many young people get infected… and we can’t help them.”
Infection rates are surging with hospitals across the country experiencing oxygen shortages and in desperate need of supplies. Indian authorities have converted train carriages into medical wards as health officials strain to save more lives.
Medical supplies from the UK arrived in India on Tuesday, which is the first international shipment aimed at helping stem the tragic surge in Covid cases across the country.
Ventilators and oxygen equipment landed in Delhi, but far more will be needed.
Many hospitals have become overwhelmed and people are waiting in the streets outside.
On Tuesday, India recorded 320,000 new infections, with the death toll close to 200,000.
India currently has the second highest number of cases of any country in the world.
Overall, there have been more than 17.6 million people infected in India so far.
There have been 197,954 deaths and so far 117,795,008 people have been vaccinated.
The country is experiencing a devastating second wave, with hospitals suffering, crematoriums overwhelmed and widespread shortages of oxygen and medicines.
India hit a record number of cases on Monday, for the fifth time in a row.
Many of these new cases are fuelled by a new Covid variant.
Virologists say they expect the rate of infections to continue to increase for another two to three weeks.
The UK’s shipment included 200 pieces of life-saving equipment including ventilators and oxygen concentrators.
Foreign ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said it was “international cooperation at work”.
But he said it is just the first trickle in what needs to be a flood of supplies for a nation of 1.3 billion people.
US President Joe Biden vowed to send up to 60 million doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine abroad, with many believing India could be a prime recipient.
The WHO is working to deliver 4,000 oxygen concentrators to India in a bid to save lives.
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How can you help those in India as the second wave rages?
Many people in India have taken to social media to share their devastating stories in recent weeks.
For instance, one Indian journalist, Vinay Srivastava, tweeted his declining oxygen levels in a desperate bid to get help.
Ultimately Mr Srivastava died without medical care and his death has become known as a stark moment in the escalating crisis.
In response to these horrifying tragedies, many organisations have engaged in work on the ground to help people.
You can choose to donate money to these organisations to help them purchase much-need lifesaving equipment, food and more essentials, such as:
- GiveIndia
- British Red Cross
- Virgin Money Giving
Activists have compiled a long Google Doc here with a few fundraisers which are particularly urgent here.
Most of the links listed appear to specifically target alleviating the burden on minority communities.
You can find several types of crowdfunding initiatives targeted at a wide range of areas including food support, relief for children, support for daily wagers or mental health assistance.
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