After an NYT report stating that India is trying to stall WHO reports on the global Covid toll by disputing the number of total estimated deaths, The health minister clarified that India is in regular and in-depth technical exchange with the WHO on the issue.

According to the health minister, the WHO analyzed the numbers based on the direct reports provided by the Tier I countries whereas, for Tier II countries, the numbers were calculated using a mathematical modelling process. He also added that similar queries have also been raised by China, Iran, Bangladesh, Syria, Ethiopia, and Egypt in association with the methodology and use of the “Unofficial set of data”.

He explained that the model provides two different sets of excess mortality rates when using the mathematical model for Tier I countries and when using unverified data from 18 Indian states. Showing his concern, the minister criticized the global health regulator for how the statistical model can project the correct estimate for a country of India′s geographical size and population compared to others with a much smaller population. 

India questioned the methodology followed by WHO for the calculation. The positivity rate for Covid-19 was never uniform throughout our nation at any given time. This variation was not taken into consideration by the WHO. WHO has also agreed about the subjective approach of this methodology, however, they are still using it despitean inaccurate representation of the complete scenario. The health minister also added that they are waiting for a satisfactory response from WHO.

Source: ET Healthworld