WHO: India Can Lead The World In Battling COVID-19

The World Health Organisation (WHO) observed that India has the capacity to lead the world in battling novel coronavirus. According to a PTI report, Michael Ryan, the executive director of WHO, referred to India's capacity to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak in the light of its experience in eradicating smallpox and polio through massive targeted public intervention.

Ryan is quoted as telling the media in Geneva that India led the world in eradicating smallpox and polio, the two silent killers and in eliminating them from the country. It could play a game-changing role by leading the way now. Targeted public intervention enabled India to eradicate polio and smallpox, he is quoted as having observed.

India can lead the way forward and show to the world what it has done before, the WHO official said.

COVID-19 has claimed close to 15,000 deaths lives across the world and has infected nearly 3,50,000 people. India has seen 492 cases and 10 deaths of Coronavirus so far.

Following instructions from the Centre several states have imposed lockdowns. International flights have been cancelled and domestic flights will come to a halt from Tuesday night. Passenger trains, local and metro services have been cancelled and curfew imposed in many states and cities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked state governments to ensure that the lockdown is enforced stringently.

PM Modi is scheduled to address the nation tonight at 8.00 pm.