ROLE OF CIVIL DEFENCE IN COVID-19 MANAGEMENT IN UNION TERRITORY, CHANDIGARH (INDIA)

Abstract

Civil defence is a voluntary force of citizens, who respond during any unforeseen situation in the locality. India enacted The Civil Defence Act, 1968to provide basic training to its citizens regarding counter war measures. Later, in 2009 the responsibilities of the civil defence corps were increased, when government amended The Civil Defence Act 1968and added disaster management as well. This paper highlights the role of civil defence in health delivery services and its effectiveness, and the coordination between civil defence organization and Chandigarh Administration in Covid-19 management in Chandigarh. The study is based on meta-analysis of statistical data pertaining to Covid-19 management available at national as well as Chandigarh administration levels. The findings of the study revealed that during the pandemic, civil defence organization played an important role in patient care, para-medical duties including ambulance services, medicines and food distribution, hospital ward maintenance, awareness campaigns, vaccination camps, cremations and para-policing duties like law and order maintenance, traffic management etc. However, as far as the effectiveness of these health services is concerned there are many flaws in it such as inadequate infrastructure including shortage of health care institutions, beds, ambulances, medical equipments, doctors, nursing staff and other medical staff, poor primary health services, high cost of medicines, preference of branded drugs over generic drugs, absence of periodic training to officials etc.