Information Therapy and Tackling Pandemics in Developing Nations

1. Information Therapy andTackling Pandemicsin Developing Nations MihirGangakhedkar Seth G.S. Medical College and KEM Hospital Mumbai

2. The Developing Nation

3. Healthcare Setup Lack of infrastructure Lack of trained personnel Limited drugs Illiteracy Panic/Ignorance Unaffordability Pandemic Problems Population

4. Improper precautionary measures Undue worry about similar mild illnesses Faith in the local pharmacist/medicine man Illiteracy and Ignorance

5. Availability of the appropriate drug Mass production and whether it is needed OTC – to sell or not to sell Resistance due to rampant use Side effect management Hoarding The Drug Issue

6. WHO – “ A ‘whole-of-society’ approach ” Information Therapy to the Rescue!

7. Using Information Therapy - I Appropriate and adequate preventive measures Identification of disease symptoms and hence the need to self quarantine Conservative treatment at home Medical attention for the high risk/serious candidates

8. Panic Control Disease mortality and morbidity statistics and balanced media coverage Legislations with satisfactory explanations Circumventing the infrastructural lacunae Using Information Therapy - II

9. Inter Pandemic Period Continued awareness efforts for the masses Confidence building measures alongside infrastructure development Make health care professionals ‘Pan-literate’ Final Hope

10. THANK YOU