Perspectives for Better Health: prepare for the Exiting Severe Phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

On May 5, 2023, the World Health Organisation declared that COVID-19 was no longer considered a public health emergency of international concern, and various governments are closing their healthcare facilities, meticulously prepared for the world's worst pandemic. However, the question arises of how to exit this pandemic's severe phase responsibly. The present communication discusses the follies of being underprepared to tackle COVID-19, particularly by the economically weaker nations, and it also outlines the necessary steps that are now needed for better management of future pandemics with international cooperation of the developed and developing countries. More attention is needed to address the paradox of digital access in excess but of little technical use, particularly in emergencies like the recent viral pandemic. If the scientific analyses of the healthcare issues had been carried out correctly, their predictions and strategies supported by authentic big data, managing the pandemic could have been better. Still, there is time and expertise developed recently that can help future generations. On the individual front, mass education, awareness of hygiene, and understanding and application of basic science, particularly in rural areas, needed to be safer rather than depend on traditional beliefs and expect miracles, a system prevalent in developing countries.