We all should learn the lessons from Dharavi

Dharavi has pulled off a COVID-19 miracle and set an example to other states in India caught in its deadly grip (“Unlikely COVID-19 success story in an Indian slum,” June 30, Gulf Today).

Praise is flowing from all quarters to the Maharashtra government and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for pulling off the unbelievable feat. Laudable in many respects, but the resident of Dharavi need a loud round of praise too for supporting the authorities wholeheartedly and adhering to the health guidelines.

I have read reports on how paramedics, health workers and NGOs worked tirelessly. Dharavi is Asia’s largest slum, and as the author has pointed out, thousands of families live in 8-by-8-foot rooms, many of whom survive on daily wages and share public bathrooms. Which in reality means that social distancing and home isolation some of the primary safeguards against the virus, were near to impossible to meet. It was a ticking Covid bomb, but Dharavi overcame that hurdle like no other.

The BMC fast-tracked and put in place the required infrastructure from setting up institutional quarantine facilities in schools and community halls to roping in private clinics much before the virus had a chance to spread. The news reports state that the first clinic was setup mere three days after the first case was detected.

In three months it saw a marked reduction in the growth rate of infection. After recording 491 COVID-19 cases in April and 1,216 in May, Dharavi saw only 274 cases and six deaths in the first half June. A phenomenal achievement.

Early detection and prompt remedial measures was the key to Dharavi’s success. Tracing, tracking, testing and treating, was the winning formula. Something that the rest of India needs to emulate if the hot spots are to be brought under control.

The danger still lurks with the monsoons picking pace. But I feel confident that Dharavi will continue to outbeat the odds.

Carmen R — By email