Covid warriors traverse tough terrain for vaccination of persons living in remote areas of Kupwara
KUPWARA : Like every other place, the Covid-19 pandemic battered continuity of normal life in Kashmir and pushed government to implement savior contingency measures to save precious human lives from being consumed by deadly viral disease.
In the northern district Kupwara of J&K, the administration took several judicious measures in view of Covid-19, which left affirmative footprints on the timeline of struggle against covid.
Here, the Deputy Commissioner, Imam Din took serious steps to knock down challenges posed by pandemic by mobilizing entire district machinery to combat threat of virus with proactive support of heath staff including doctors, paramedics, ASHAs besides teachers, Anganwari workers and police.
The services of PRIs, religious leaders, Imams and NGOs were also employed to give coherent response to the challenges created by pandemic.
A strategically devised COVID containment plan was framed at outset of second covid wave insurgence where a vigorous awareness campaign was launched across the district for adherence of various SOPs given by WHO and Ministry of Health and Medical Education from time to time.
Wearing masks was enforced and made obligatory; use of sanitizers, hand hygiene and maintaining social distance became the order of the day.
Comprehending the gravity of the situation, general public supported the administration while obeying observance of Covid Appropriate Behaviour.
As a deterent and for complete enforcement of SOPs, the administration penalized violators and realized Rs.23 lakh.
However, district administration Kupwara stressed on measures to motivate people regarding following of SOPs.
Along with the awareness campaign, district authorities launched vaccination drive to inoculate people of kupwara having population of 8.70 lakh as per the 2011 census.
The vaccination process was initiated at two different stages for two different age groups. Initially vaccination drive aimed for the people having age above 45 years then followed by age group of 18 to 44 years.
To achieve the cent percent target, vaccination centres were established in various areas besides special teams were also constituted who conducted door to door vaccination.
Without being bothered by the rough and High terrain, the special teams even went to far flung areas of the district including Karnah and Machil to continue the process and vaccinate every individual.
The reach out programme is even currently going on, as the designated Nodal Officers are visiting far off and hilly areas to make rural people. The teams although facing occasional reluctance of people at some places for vaccination, they put their efforts to educate everyone about the benefits of vaccines and motivate them to get shots.
As per the data of Health Department, Kupwara, as many as 130718 persons above 45 age got vaccinated while 46912 persons between the age group of 18 to 44 have also been vaccinated so for. This constituted 60 % of total target population.
To ensure cent percent coverage of target population, the Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Imam Din is personally monitoring the whole vaccination drive by regularly inspecting the vaccination in towns as well as rural areas of the district.
During last 10 days, the Deputy Commissioner along with concerned officers inspected various Covid vaccination centres in Kupwara at Kralpora, Sogam, Tarathpora, Langate, Trehgam, Chowgul and Hanwara towns during which he took the stock of vaccination process and the target achieved so for. During his visits he stressed on the concerned officers and officials that no individual should be left behind without inoculation as he said vaccination is the only weapon against covid disease.
As a part of COVID mitigation plan, Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara holds press briefing every Monday and Friday to keep general public aware about the measures being taken by administration to keep the pandemic at bay.
These measures are disseminated through print, electronic and social media so the message reaches every single person.
The main thrust of these pressers revolve around the message so that the people should not lower the guard against the COVID.
At present, Kupwara has only 1.3 % positivity rate and is under yellow range.
To win war against covid, DC kupwara urged people to come forward for vaccination and follow COVID Appropriate Behavior religiously besides make mask a norm till the threat of resurgence of COVID pandemic is over.