Importance of vaccination stressed at awareness prog
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, July 30 2021:
An advocacy programme on Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and importance of Covid vaccination for 18 years and above was held at the Conference Hall of DC Office, Senapati on Friday.
The programme was organised by 47-Karong AC Covid Management and Enforcement Committee in collaboration with Poumai Naga Union (PNU) and other apex bodies of Poumai Naga Tribe.
DC (Senapati) Mahesh Chaudhari in his address stated that the vaccination count of the district stood at 23,994 (15.50%) and Pou-mai Naga tribe is one of the biggest tribes in the district among whom rate of vaccination is low which necessitated a joint interaction with all the apex civil bodies.
Thus, the advocacy programme has been facilitated.
The DC stressed on the need for vaccination to save lives although it is not compulsion as there is apprehension of the arrival of the third wave.
He informed that an 87-year-old man had got vaccinated recently while 4-5 pregnant women have been vaccinated in the district to date.
Dr Peter Ngouniba, district immunization officer, highlighted the current rate of vaccination in the district although the percentage stands low at 15.50%.The department is setting a target of vaccinating 1,54,769 (18 years and above) people as it aims to complete the mission before September 30.Dr Shyamjai, state mission director NHM, stated that the first cases of the second wave were recorded on April 7 this year with more than 10 new cases, marking the beginning of the second wave in the whole state of Manipur.
The second wave is deadlier with more than 1,400 deaths reported in the past couple of months.
Changes in the virus were reported in May, June and July with delta variant found in some test samples.
The delta variant is very infectious than the previous one, thereby causing high rate of fatality, he said.
The mission director then said that vaccine is the only way save to oneself from the virus and urged all to follow the SOPs laid down by the government for containing the pandemic.
D Dailord Pao, president Poumai Naga Union, attributed vaccine hesitancy to false information circulated on social media in the past and assured that the CSOs are ready to extend all possible help in future to the district administration and the medical department in the fight against Covid-19.Asahrii Clement, president Poumai Naga Students Union (PNTM), appreciated the initiatives of the district administration till date and urged to carry out more awareness programme in the remotest villages of the district that need more medical attention.
Rev P James, executive secretary Poumai Naga Baptist Association (PNBA), during his speech, disclosed that many people had asked him if vaccination was related to religious belief in the past.
The executive secretary also mentioned that PNBA is preparing a video clip to give awareness to the people about vaccination.
SP Senapati M Pradip Singh urged all the people of the district not to upload unnecessary and unfounded messages on social media to avoid any unwanted incident and sought cooperation of the public in maintaining law and order in the district.
Dr D Apao, surveillance medical officer (WHO), said that the district administration and the health team had tried a lot to convince the people for vaccination but was not fruitful in almost all the villages the team had visited.
The doctor then pointed out that the vaccine was approved for vaccination on human after many trials to contain the spread of the virus.
PP Ronald, SDO Pu-rul, who is also the convenor of the 47-Karong AC Covid Management and Enforcement Committee, urged all to join hands with the health department so as to cover the whole Poumai Naga areas.
The programme was attended by addl DC Senapati, SDOs of Song Song, Phai-bung, other federating units of PNU and PNBA, and MOs in charge of Oinam Hill PHC and Paomata.
Comment
