INDIA: COVID-19 Needs Assessment

Survey of 100+ VisionSpring Partners Reveals Critical Shortages of COVID-19 Care Equipment and Supplies

As of June 20, 2021, India has recorded 30,000,000 cases of COVID-19, second only to the US, and reported 356,000 deaths. Following several months of declining daily cases from September 2020, they rose sharply in March 2021, peaking at more than 400,000 cases per day in May. This sudden spike overwhelmed healthcare providers and the health system. 

From May 9 to 11, VisionSpring conducted a rapid assessment to understand COVID-19 care needs among 108 healthcare providers in its network in 17 states.

Data from telephone interviews revealed that the majority of hospitals surveyed (94%; n=102) had been designated as COVID-19 care centers.4 Of these, 23% reported that their patient loads extended beyond their capacity by 25% to 50%, including both in-patient and intensive care.

Respondents also cited shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies among their most urgent needs. 

Highlights include:

  • Nearly one-quarter (22%; n=24) of hospitals reported shortages of essential or emergency medicines. 50% of respondents required Remdesivir, followed by antibiotics (38%) and vitamins (29%). 

  • In terms of equipment, 72% of respondents highlighted a need for oxygen concentrators. In addition, 59% of respondents identified staffing shortages, such as critical care nurses and nursing assistants, among their top needs.

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For the second time since April 2020, VisionSpring put vision care on hold in India and pivoted to emergency response. We leveraged our procurement and supply chain capacity to source and deliver PPE and medical devices, including oxygen concentrators, at subsidized prices.

These survey results informed our procurement and distribution planning.  As of June 20, 2021 VisionSpring has delivered more than 450,000 units of PPE in India this year, and in addition, is fulfilling requests for more than 1,000 oxygen concentrators. 

Meleah Moore