India has recently surpassed Brazil as the country with the second-highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases. With a staggering 200,000 plus cases reported yesterday, the virus is sparing no one – whether young or old, vaccinated or not vaccinated. So, will the arrival of imported vaccines change anything? Going by the history of pandemics, once they emerge, they rarely leave. With the exception of smallpox – the only human disease eradicated with vaccination – virtually every disease pathogen is still with us albeit now as an endemic. Take for instance, the deadly Plague of 14th century caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Countless local outbreaks still surface and constantly remind us of the persistent nature of pathogens.
M.K. Padma Kumar is involved in developing strategies and managing operations for the IPE Global Group.
He has over 25 years of experience in the development sector, working in civil society organisations and international development agencies like DANIDA and DFID. As the Head of State Partnerships at the DFID India, he was responsible for developing partnerships, programme design, management and strategic oversight of all programmes implemented in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. He has managed various development programmes. His expertise lies in driving operational, financial and programmatic transformations. Before DFID, he was associated with Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), Help Age and World Wildlife Fund.
He holds a Master’s degree in Business Management with specialisation in Human Resource Management and Finance. He is extensively trained in Project Cycle Management, Grant Management, Performance Management, Leadership Skills and Change Management.
