Its not Swine

The paranoia that grips India today is about swine flu, or is it. Its not really swine, was amazed to see folks wearing disposable surgical masks after washing, packing them nicely in their bags after hours of use and all this on my small trip to the so called epicenter in the country.

Is it really swine that's troubling India or is it something else. Well, to me swine flu or H1N1 is just an excuse for the reaction to the apathy of health care sector to come out. Its just the mistrust in so called public hospitals, where you at times even need to pay up to the ward boys to get things done. (No, am not saying everyone is like that, but think of a situation when you are concerned about health of a loved one and nothing moves till you pay some money over the top). Its about hoarding of tablets and masks, which are going at double their price in the market today...isn't this more like Indian inflation, officially we are in deflation and still commodity prices keep rising, only our learned Babu's (government officials) can take pride in such achievements along with their political masters hell bent on taking credit.

Anyways' back to swine, what i saw in Pune last week was a sense of fear, without knowing what and how to do. All were just jumping on the bandwagon and trying to use it to own advantage. Yes, its important to be cautious but for your own sake, just read out the advisory and treatment on WHO website. Guess, even our so called Health Officials did not read that.

And at the end for our so efficient private sector, atleast in health care emergency you let my country down. It turns away patients, refusing treatment and when agreeing wants a 100% profit return...I guess, its only money which counts, swines are still slugging it out in mud outside. I guess its not swine, not anymore.

PS: In Any way do not want to demean the seriousness of the issue or pandemic, but am just stumped by the reaction of our leaders, bureaucrats and people alike. May the souls, who sacrificed their life to help awaken this sleeping country, RIP.