Preparedness and Response to COVID-19 Outbreak in Assam: An Experience from the Field

The world is now fighting against a new deadly virus disease, novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which is first declared as public health emergency and later declared as Pandemic by WHO. As COVID-19 spread around the world, governments, companies, international organizations announced measures to help contain the spread. Assam with 36 cases and the other north eastern (NE) states have been able to control the number of cases quite well compared to other states in India. To contain coronavirus spread in Assam, government leveraged nine projects implemented by Piramal Swasthya Management and Research Institute (PSMRI), in addition to other activities. This paper gives the elaborative listings of activities done by PSMRI in respond to COVID-19 outbreak to support the government respond to this pandemic. Activities are- Inbound calling, out bound calling, contact tracing, Visit and follow up of quarantined patients, data entry and updating Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) portal and door step delivery of medicines. As on 26th April, 1,25,566 COVID-19 related calls received in 104-Health Helpline (HIHL). In addition, 37,886 beneficiaries called for quarantine follow up. Field staffs also visited households of home quarantined patients and screened more than 9000 people for COVID-19. PSMRI also supported in activities of Assam Cares Financial scheme and Dhanwantri Scheme.The above activities helped in mitigating the risk of coronavirus infection and also ‘helped in timely respond to the reported cases