Mahatama Gandhi believed that health is true wealth and not gold and silver, WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan said at the 12-hour #SwasthyaMantra telethon. Ms Swaminathan highlighted two things important to fight COVID-19 - public health preparedness and people. As far as the vaccine is concerned, Ms Swaminathan said that we can be optimistic as we have many vaccine candidates. Realistically, we are looking at the middle of next year to get a vaccine, she added.