It's once in a century health crisis: Dr Potluri
A fiasco in the making? As the coronavirus pandemic takes hold, we are making decisions without reliable data
Quote:
|
Draconian countermeasures have been adopted in many countries. If the pandemic dissipates — either on its own or because of these measures — short-term extreme social distancing and lockdowns may be bearable. How long, though, should measures like these be continued if the pandemic churns across the globe unabated? How can policymakers tell if they are doing more good than harm?
|
Long term planning is required. NITI Ayog has a big task.
1. Supply Chain
Each district should prepare a long term plan for procuring and distributing essential commodities, pharmaceuticals, security gadgets. Huge scope is there for computerized planning -
'ERP for supply chain management' can be deployed at district level by district authorities if not at country or state level. There is scope for developing cheaper versions of biological hazard resilient supply chain. Medical/healthcare logistics, food logistics, fuel/energy logistics, police logistics,
humanitarian logistics and all other essential services maintenance act related logistics are priority ones. Location-based delivery services can be incorporated as a part supply chain.
At least all essential commodities industries should be up and running as soon as possible. Many middle class families have already procured groceries for a month. Hence at the end of this there will be another rush for groceries.
District authorities should have details like stock, demand, supply etc on their finger tips. They should also have alternative supply arrangement to meet the demand. All essential commodity industries to meet the demand should be running continuously -
Udupi allows operation of rice mills, coconut oil manufacturing units.
E-commerce platform (
‘Launch e-commerce platforms to link farmers with consumers’) is integral part of supply chain management. WhatsApp (
Now, doorstep delivery through WhatsApp) and other social media platforms also be tried for placing order including cashless (WhatsApp Pay).
Human Resource Management should be a part of districtwise 'supply chain management and logistics' -
COVID-19: KSRTC deploys buses for emergency services.
No idea whether district authorities have access to GST Daily Stock Account to check inventory status of the district and whether summary report on essential goods inventory is available.
2. Employment
- IT workers are asked to work from home
- Recruitments go online
- Colleges go online
- Doctors go for telemedicine
- Courts opt video conference
- Online shopping - but
Supply issues hit online delivery services
- E-offices -
E-offices keep things going as usual in some govt. departments,
Laptop sales surge in India as employees work from home during lockdown
But how to employ others like MSME and construction including migrant workers is a big issue. Self-reliant villages generating local employment can be planned including a plan for to and fro movement of goods as a part of supply chain management.
Issue is also of loosing income earner of family -
Here's why the coronavirus may be killing more men than women. The US should take note.
Will be updated
Hybrid Mode