The commendable improvements in health-care delivery on account of an able administrative and medical set-up is evident in the way Kerala is tackling the Nipah virus outbreak (‘Ground Zero’ page, “Anatomy of an outbreak”, June 2). The importance of such a public health model becomes all the more significant especially at a time when we are constantly staring at instances of medical negligence such as Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. Coordinated efforts by medical experts, dedicated nursing staff (a selfless nurse, Lini Puthussery even sacrificed her life in the process), concerned Central and State government officials and health workers are what helped in containing an outbreak of such severity.
Anjali B.,
Thiruvananthapuram
The report was an interesting read. The efficiency of the administration in containing the virus is a welcome change against the backdrop of the devastating outcomes of epidemics we are much used to. Certainly, the high literacy rate and the level of awareness of the common man in Kerala must have also made the task of the local administration easier.
However, the question of how the virus entered the human chain remains a mystery. The Kerala experience and model must be upheld as a template in health-care management for the rest of India.
Krishnagopal Dharani,
Adoni, Andhra Pradesh
The article has given words to the brilliance of India’s doctors and the effective response of the Kerala government. The fight may not be over, but it is reassuring to know that the State is in full control of the situation. The outbreak and its handling are a case study in effective governance.
Mazin Mehaboob Chakkarathodi,
Mumbai