4 | Government Response to Pandemics
While pandemics caused disastrous outcomes in cities/nations, they also
led to phenomenal efforts by governments and enlightened citizens to
revitalize cities in the interest of growth and welfare, prevent and
control disease for the betterment of health, and promote pandemic
resilience. Efforts included huge national investment in public health
infrastructure, sanitation, slum upgradation, public housing, and
research on vaccines, medicines, and disease management techniques.
Emphasis was placed on social, economic, and environmental determinants
of health and the establishment of partnerships in public health.
Prevention and control of diseases in urban areas warranted a
multi-pronged approach. It led to a mix of policies and actions:
widening of congested streets, the war against filth, renovation of
derelict areas, underground sewage system and treatment plants, potable
drinking water to every house, efficient solid waste management,
improved housing conditions of the poor, and air pollution within
permissible limits.
Pandemics have been instrumental in ushering in the public health
revolution, including advancement in science – epidemiology,
bacteriology, immunology, vaccinology, social and preventive medicine,
vital statistics, etc., new methods and tools to manage disease and plan
interventions such as flattening the infection curve, social movements
promoting sanitation as a way to healthy life, urban planning innovation
with public health considerations at the center, investments in civic
infrastructure and housing the poor, creation of public health
institutions and empowerment of municipalities as custodians of public
health, etc. These developments have significantly contributed to the
understanding of interactions between the natural environment, built-up
environment, human-animal-virus-bacteria-disease interface, and spread
of contagious diseases. This has facilitated innovations to prevent and
control many infectious diseases.