In view of a major article in The Lancet dated September 5 accusing India of lack of clarity and shortcomings in vital registration, testing practices and proper classification of COVID-19 deaths, mid-day speaks to renowned virologist Dr Jacob John about the concerns that the findings have brought to the fore. Dr John headed the ICMR Centre of Advanced Research in Virology and National HIV/AIDS Reference Centre at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, where he set up the country's first diagnostic virology laboratory to get answers to questions on data fudging and if it had any geo-political ramifications amidst the pandemic.

Your interpretation of the study
The Lancet editors have always been interested in India's health issues, hence the report on India's COVID-19 situation is not surprising. There have always been shortcomings and lack of quality and coverage of data regarding vital events registration in the health management system, except for births. In the administrative system vital events of births and deaths are recorded but there is no cross-talk between these two systems — something that can easily be corrected if the government wants to. Deaths are recorded in the administrative system, but it is not interested in cause of death as long as it is neither homicide nor suicide. I feel the health ministries do not want clarity because it will tarnish the image of the healthcare system. The sudden interest in COVID-19 data therefore is understandable. In view of the long-standing flaws in the system, we cannot suddenly demand professionalism and transparency. Disease classification with evidence was never scrutinised by anybody.