Open AccessKerala's response to COVID-19
Author(s) -
Rajeev Sadanandan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
indian journal of public health/indian journal of public health
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.381
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 2229-7693
pISSN - 0019-557X
DOI - 10.4103/ijph.ijph_459_20
Subject(s) - transparency (behavior) , government (linguistics) , covid-19 , public health , economic growth , outbreak , social mobilization , business , environmental health , socioeconomics , political science , geography , medicine , economics , infectious disease (medical specialty) , nursing , virology , politics , philosophy , linguistics , disease , pathology , law
The response of Kerala state to COVID-19, led by the health department, was nested in larger social mobilization. Kerala has developed a strong government health system. Learning from managing the Nipah outbreaks, Kerala took effective prevention measures early. Local governments, actively involved in public health in Kerala, played an active role in controlling the epidemic and in cushioning the impact on the poor. Transparency in information and willingness of the government to take the people into confidence has contributed to enhancing trust in the government. These strengths will stand Kerala in good stead as it prepares to manage the next wave of COVID-19 infections.