Vaccinated Indians equivalent to unvaccinated in the UK?
Current Affairs
Earlier this week, the UK released travel guidelines stating that any person vaccinated in Africa, South America, UAE, India, Turkey, Jordan, Thailand or Russia will be considered "unvaccinated" and that such travelers would have to undergo mandatory quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in the United Kingdom.
This issue impacted many Indian students and employees who were fully vaccinated with Covishield - a vaccine that was manufactured in India but ironically, is a licensed product of a UK company.
These travel guidelines were heavily frowned upon by several diplomats like Shashi Tharoor, calling them “oppressive and a double-standard”. The Indian External Affairs Ministry had then raised the issue with the UK Government and warned them of “reciprocal measures”.
UK’s response
A day after the issue was raised by the Indian Government, the UK released a new policy in which Covishield was accepted as an ‘approved’ vaccine. However, as per reports, it is not Covishield rather the COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued in India that seem to be a cause of worry for the UK Government.
The new policy, however, does not change the fact that the Indian travelers will continue to be treated as ‘unvaccinated’.
How can the UK approve Covishield and still call Indians ‘unvaccinated’?
The UK currently follows a traffic light system of ‘Red, Amber and Green’ lists. 18 nations are currently on the ‘Green List’ which will allow doubly vaccinated travelers from these countries to fly to the UK without any quarantine requirement.
The recent recognition of Covishield means that any traveler from the ‘Green List’ can use Covishield and fly to the UK without any quarantine requirement. However, since India is not on the ‘Green list’, Indians - even though doubly vaccinated with Covishield - will have to undergo a mandatory quarantine.
Britain has removed India from the ‘Red List’ and placed it under the ‘Amber list’ which removed the requirement of a hotel or institutional quarantine but mandated 10-day home quarantine. According to the new policy, there are no changes in India’s Amber list position or home quarantine requirement.
The UK plans to create a single ‘Red List’ from October 4, 2021, for greater ease, so it remains to be seen as to what will happen to the countries in the ‘Amber’ list.
Why is this policy being termed ‘racist’?
While the extent and the targets of racism in the UK have varied over time, the concept of oppression of the weak is not new to the country at all.
From African-Caribbeans to British India, large-scale xenophobia to racism against British Chinese post COVID-19, British history has clearly been marred with unfairness and atrocities towards people with different ethnicities - be it in colour, country or religion.
Issue with Co-WIN certificates?
Addressing the confusion on the vaccination certificates issue, the National Health Authority CEO, Dr. RS Sharma said that the UK has not expressed any concern over India's vaccine certificates generated by Co-WIN and that the Indian certification system is completely WHO compliant.
This statement has only added to more confusion as Indians now fail to understand the reason behind the UK’s bias towards India.
Way forward
With the UK's history of racism, the speculation of oppression is by all means justified. The ground reality of whether this policy is an intended attack on the Indians or simply a safety measure to protect citizens of the UK, is still in the grey unless the UK owns up and clarifies.
The Indian Government has promised talks with the UK, and a mutually beneficial decision is all we can hope for, not just for the sake of our students, employees and travelers, but also for a history that should not repeat itself.
Tia: The modern medical home for women
Business
In the United States, the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)* affects around 1 in 10 women, yet it took over three years for Carolyn Witte to get a doctor to diagnose it. Realizing the fragmented state of women’s healthcare, Witte and her best friend, Felicity Yost co-founded Tia.
*PCOS is a hormonal disorder leading to enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edge. The disease can lead to fertility issues, diabetes and mood disorders. Most women who suffer from PCOS rarely receive the diagnosis on time, and even then, receiving the correct treatment and guidance is a battle.
From information portals to physical clinics
The four-year-old startup recently raised USD 100 million, leading one of the largest funding for Series B investments ever for a healthcare company focused on women.
While it initially began with an aim to create a search tool like Google for women’s health to empower women to make better choices, Tia now has physical clinics in New York City and Los Angeles, with virtual care in Phoenix and San Francisco (soon coming on board).
“Women deserve their own medical home”
Tia offers both virtual and in-person care and treatment for a range of women’s health issues, including primary, gynaecological, mental as well as acupuncture.
It works on a membership model, charging around USD 150 a year, for access to the company’s clinics.
40% lower cost of care
While the major chunk of revenue from the start-up comes from online and in-person visits, the membership is still a key component of the brand and the experience. Today, Tia delivers 60% of the care online, while 100% of services were delivered in-person, pre-COVID.
The startup’s care model has shown a reduction of 40% in the cost of care, as compared to a typical primary care practice. One of the ways the company has been able to cut costs is its focus on mid-level providers, 80% of the services are provided by nurse practitioners.
Valued USD 600 million
To date, Tia has raised USD 132 million. With existing investors like Define Ventures, Threshold Ventures, and Torch Capital, among others, the start-up garnered a valuation of USD 600 million.
Reach 100,000 women by 2023
Now with significant capital invested, Tia aims to expand its care model to 100,000 women by 2023.
It will also be using the capital to build more in-person clinics, in both new and existing markets, expanding its service lines to a women’s whole lifecycle, from puberty to menopause.
Femtech gearing up to go mainstream
Another female-founded company focused on women’s and family health called Maven Clinic, recently raised USD 110 million in another round of funding (Series D), and became the first in the sector to reach Unicorn status. The round also got Orpah Winfrey as a new backer.
Allara Health, an early-stage start-up based out of New York, also raised millions with strong investor backing. Other start-ups like Modern Fertility, Veera Health, Perla Health are also making strides in the industry.
Need for such start-ups in India?
Women make up close to 50% of the population, yet so many of their healthcare needs are not fulfilled especially gynaecology-related issues.
While startups like Tia are changing that in developed countries like the United States, there is a huge market for such start-ups in developing countries, including India, which is yet to be explored.
Do you think such start-ups should come to India as well? Will they do well?
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