Pandemics have occurred from time to time, with the past and present century witnessing several pandemics of Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses caused by influenza and coronavirus. The world is currently reeling under the pandemic of COVID-19 caused by novel corona virus named SARS-CoV-2 and India also has not been spared. As observed earlier, large scale pandemics have grave impact on many fronts, disrupting health and other services of the country and jeopardizing lives of people. While some setbacks are imminent and unavoidable, the present pandemic can also be considered as an opportunity to make positive changes in the field of public health by improving the system and people’s behaviour. This paper aims to assess various health problems that are likely to occur during and after the epidemic in India and to find ways in which the present situation can be utilized as an opportunity to our benefit and carry forward the currently implemented efforts, to bring about tangible gains in the field of public health.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Public health; Setback; Gains; Way Forward.