Indonesia’s struggle with Covid-19: Increasing death rate in children
Global News
Covid-19 cases caused by the Delta variant are increasing rapidly in Southeast Asia, especially in countries with low vaccination rates like Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam.
In July 2021, Indonesia overtook India and Brazil in the number of daily cases but what is extremely concerning is that 12.5% of the 50,000 new infections are in children. More than 150 children died from Covid-19 during the week of July 12 alone, with half the recent deaths involving those younger than 5 years of age.
The surge in child mortality is recent
Overall, Indonesia has reported more than 3 million cases and 83,000 deaths.
Ever since the pandemic started, 800 children, younger than 18 years of age, have died from the virus in Indonesia but the majority of those deaths have occurred only in the past month.
Although no direct reason has been established so far, the experts suggest a few.
Low vaccination rates in Indonesia
Just 16% of Indonesians have received the first dose, and only 6% have been fully vaccinated. Like other countries, Indonesia does not vaccinate children younger than 12 years of age and only recently began vaccinating those aged 12-18.
Pre-existing conditions
Experts have also stated that some children could be more vulnerable to the virus because of underlying health conditions such as malnutrition, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. The pandemic has also severely affected the immunisation programme for polio, mumps and Hepatitis B in Indonesia.
Routine vaccinations
800,000 Indonesian children missed out on routine vaccinations due to the pandemic. According to data compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, compared to 2019, Indonesia saw a 40% rise in the number of children who missed out on their regular vaccinations.
To understand why these vaccination drives are crucial, just consider the following data - Vaccine programmes have prevented 37 million deaths in developing countries around the world in the past 20 years.
Lack of enough hospitals
Many hospitals have been stretched beyond their limit by the recent surge in cases. People are desperately trying to find hospital beds, oxygen and medicine for their family members. Moreover, only a few hospitals are set up to care for children with Covid-19.
As hospitals are operating at peak capacity, about two-thirds of adult patients are in isolation at home, which increases the chance of children being affected.
Government is relaxing social curbs
Even with the rising cases in the country, President Joko Widodo is already talking about relaxing social curbs in the month of July.
Analysts have said that this move is largely led by economic considerations for 60% of the workforce which is in the informal sector. However, health experts have called this decision premature and potentially dangerous. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also urged Indonesia to tighten curbs.
Do we need to change our outlook?
Experts, so far, have stressed that children mostly have mild infections of Covid-19 and some can be asymptomatic. The major concern has been that they can be carriers of the infection. However, the recent development in Indonesia has challenged the idea that children face minimal risk from Covid-19.
Although a concrete reason is yet to be found for the rise in deaths amongst children in Indonesia, steps need to be taken all around the globe to prevent the same.
What is India’s plan for vaccinating children?
On Tuesday, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that the Indian government is likely to start vaccinating children against Covid-19 from August.
Zydus Cadila has concluded its trials for the 12-18 age group and subject to statutory provisions, the vaccine may be available in the near future.
The Drug Controller General of India has permitted Bharat Biotech, the maker of Covaxin,’ to conduct clinical vaccine trials for the 12-18 age group.
Assam-Mizoram border conflict: What happened and why?
Current Affairs
Six officers of the Assam police were killed at the Assam-Mizoram border on Monday as a long withstanding boundary issue over the two states aggravated violent clashes. Similar clashes took place in October last year which led to the death of 8, vandalism of local property, and a three-week-long economic blockade in Mizoram.
The clash brings to light deeply rooted inter-state issues of the two states over alleged encroachment of boundaries - particularly between Cachar (Assam) and Manit (Mizoram).
Boundary encroachment
In 1972, Mizoram became a Union Territory, separating itself from Assam before attaining full statehood in 1984. Three southern Assam districts of Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj share a 160 km-long border with Mizoram’s Kolasib, Mamit, and Aizawl districts. The conflict persists due to improper demarcation of this border.
Issue dates back to the British era
The British government used Assam as a springboard to capture other surrounding tribal areas. One such area, Mizoram, then called Lushai Hills, was turned into a district of Assam.
During this time, in 1875, the British released a notification differentiating Lushai Hills from the plains of Cachar (now in Assam). In 1975, Mizoram used this same notification to demarcate boundaries while attaining statehood.
However, according to the Assam government, a release of 1933 demarcated a boundary between the Lushai Hills and Manipur. In this demarcation, parts of Mizoram in Kolasib and Mamit are claimed by Assam - leading to a few Assamese settlers allegedly building huts in the district. This is where the conflict lies.
What happened on Monday? (Mizoram government’s view)
200 CRPF jawans along with Assam's Hailakandi district officials entered Mizoram's Kolasib territory and had been camping there since Tuesday last week.
Residents of Vairengte town (Kolasib) went to the area and were assaulted by the police. The incident was followed by tear gas canisters thrown by Mizoram police, with a volley of shots fired back by Assam officials. The Mizo government blamed the Assam Police and condemned its ‘unjustified acts of intrusion and aggression.’
What happened on Monday? (Assam police’s view)
The Assam Police alleged that Mizoram was trying to build a temporary road from Vairengte up to Assam’s territory in Lailapur, which falls under Assam’s Inner Line Reserve Forest.
Assam DGP Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta said: “We located a Mizoram police post set up on the temporary road, which was being constructed by JCBs etc, so our officials went to close it.” Consequently, alleged ‘miscreants’ from Mizoram started pelting stones at government officials in Lailapur town on the Cachar border, ultimately leading to the violence.
A Twitter battle ensued
Both state CMs of the states took to Twitter to rage a war of words:
Reactions
The incident was followed by Home Minister Amit Shah’s meeting with the eight states in Shillong on Saturday. According to an official, “The border issues were discussed” and it was decided that two state officials “would talk with each other and resolve it.”
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has declared a 3-day mourning period in the state and officials from both states have vowed to resolve the matter peacefully between themselves.
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