“Our target is around 80,000, we have vaccinated around 20,000 and is short of 60,000” stated Dr Kapangring A Shimray.
By TFM Ukhrul Correspondent
With an aim to reach out and sensitise community leaders through meeting for wider coverage and positive response towards Covid-19 vaccination and to gain confidence and support for mass vaccination in Manipur, the State Health Society, NHM Manipur in collaboration with District Administration and District Health Society, Ukhrul organised Covid-19 Vaccination Advocacy Meeting For Community Leaders at DRDA Hall, Mini Secretariat Complex, Ukhrul on Saturday.
Prof Dr AK Brogen, HOD Community Medicines, RIMS and Dr Jubilee Wahengbam, State In-Charge for Covid-19 Community Engagement & SNO RKSK & ASHA, NHM were the resource persons of the day. The resource persons elaborated in detail the importance of the vaccine and clear the questions of the participants during the discussion hour.
Attending the programme, MLA of 44-Ukhrul Assembly Constituency, Alfred K Arthur stated that “People says Tangkhul is an advanced community, but when it comes to Covid-19 vaccination, we are lacking behind other Districts. There is a time to lead and a time to follow. It is time to follow what the health experts say. Those formulas and research work are aliens to many of us. It is time to follow what the world is doing.”
He also added that because of unfounded and unresearched opinions about Covid-19 vaccine being circulated on social media many would become victims of the virus, even though they are initially willing to get vaccinated. Alfred K Arthur appealed to everyone to get vaccinated at the earliest. He expressed gratitude to the medical team for taking up such an initiative.
Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul, Joseph Pauline Kamsom stated “Let us not waste our time in critical analysis. Instead, let us lead other citizens and live a healthy community. Let us immunise ourselves and strengthen our body for a robust society.”
CMO of Ukhrul, Dr Kapangring expressed immense gratitude to NHM Manipur and District Administration for the initiative. He informed that awareness on Covid-19 vaccination has been started in Ukhrul District since June 28, 2021. Awareness camp on Covid-19 vaccination has been conducted at 25 places till date.
“Our target is around 80,000, we have vaccinated around 20,000 and is short of 60,000” stated Dr Kapangring A Shimray. Daily Covid-19 vaccination will be carried out at Ava Market, Phungreitang, Ukhrul from 10:00 am.to 04:00 pm at free of cost during the curfew.
State Facilitators on Covid-19 Community Engagement & RKSK Consultant, NHM, Philazan Shangh informed that the meeting will be convened at locality level in the valley districts and at district headquarters for hill districts. This meeting is to sensitise, gain confidence and for better coordination and a more positive response from the community. People are confused and hesitant to come forwards as the information on Covid-19 vaccination are flooded in social media with faults and fake news. At this juncture, it is imperative to provide genuine and accurate information regarding the vaccine from the concerned authorities. Hence, this effort is to bridge the gap to carry out the vaccination programme as one of the most effective measures against the present pandemic, Covid-19.
Philazan Shangh also informed that Covid-19 Community Engagement Cell is targeting to cover 22 meetings in both valley and hill districts in coordination with the concerned Deputy Commissioners. The meeting will target Panchayati Raj Institution Councilors in the valley districts and to ADCs, FBOs, Community Base Organisations in the hill districts.
The programme was also attended by Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul, David Kashungnao, Additional District Magistrate, Kachamthai F Gangmei, SDO Ukhrul, Christian Home Huileng, Superintendent of Covid Care Centre, Ukhrul, Dr Yuithingla Vashum Luikham, DIO of Ukhrul, Dr Pamza Luikham, TKS President, Shimri Raising, RKL President, Somipam Vashum, church leaders and leaders from neighbouring villages including Hunphun and Hungpung.