Mansukh Mandaviya, who took over as India’s Health Minister on Thursday, has to hit the ground running. Taking over in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the health infrastructure is hugely stressed and the government’s image not at its best, is no mean task. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his major Cabinet reshuffle, not only axed Mandaviya’s predecessor Harsh Vardhan but also the MoS Ashwani Kumar Choubey, an indication that the PM wanted to start afresh and give the new minister a clean slate to start with.

So, where does the minister start? What are the areas that need his immediate attention?

Vaccination drive

The major challenge for the health minister will be vaccinating as many people as possible, prodding people to overcome vaccine hesitancy and addressing shortage concerns. Experts say that vaccines at doorstep may be the next logical step to cover as many people as possible before any more waves hit the nation. This will require a major infrastructure push.

Countering the third wave 

This is the second biggest challenge for the minister. Going by a recent SBI report the third is likely to hit in September and peak in November. A government panel had also said that the wave will hit in October-November. While experts may differ on the timing, there is no confusion about another wave hitting India. Not just one, many waves may hit, say experts. Mandaviya’s challenge will be to make sure the health sector is prepared for the onslaught and is not caught on the wrong foot like it was during the second that claimed more than 1 lakh lives with any still reeling under the impact. 

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Rebuilding trust, confidence

Previous health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan’s alleged confrontationist approach vis a vis some states was a point of discontent and unnecessary adverse publicity. Mandaviya will have to not only rebuild that trust but will also have to instil confidence among people in order to function smoothly. “We got your backs”, is the message that needs to go out.

Fortifying medical infrastructure

With the government announcing emergency credit plans and other financial schemes, health infrastructure will need to be immediately repaired. The deadly second wave of COVID-19 left the health infrastructure battered and exposed the chinks in the system. The sector will not be able to bear the brunt of another wave if immediate repair work is not carried out.