How healthcare became unaffordable for non-coronavirus patients in pandemic

Many have either been unable to access treatment or been unwilling to access it due to the fear of catching the SARS-CoV-2 infection

Tanvi Vij, 22, has spinal muscular atrophy type II, a genetic disease that has left her completely immobile. This year, her condition deteriorated so much that her family decided to buy a hoist that can help her get out of bed and get on to her wheelchair.

But the government’s decision to impose a lockdown on account of Covid-19, and the cancellation of all flights, disrupted the family’s plans. Her father could not travel to Mumbai to meet the vendor and have the hoist customised for Tanvi and delivered to Delhi. This would have cost