Churches most effective platform in creating awareness says DIO, Dr. Rebecca
Creating awareness on COVID vaccine, district immunisation officer Dimapur, Dr. Rebecca said that with Nagaland being a Christian state, churches happened to be the most effective platform in creating awareness as they not only delivered spiritual food but could also be used to disseminate the right information regarding various activities in the state.
She was speaking as the resource person at an awareness seminar on COVID vaccine organised at Lotha Baptist Church (LBC), Dimapur here on Thursday at the conference hall.
She said that with platforms where wrong information, rumors, messages were circulated, “we should counteract by equipping ourselves with the right messages and spreading the right information through right platforms”.
Rebecca appealed all to deliver the right information so that they could successfully implement the vaccination drive in order overcome the pandemic and get back to the normal life.
Highlighting the achievements so far as on March 25, 2021, India has vaccinated 4, 72, 07.134 doses, in Nagaland the number of first dose administered 56, 717, second dose numbers to 19,943 while in Dimapur district first dose administered to health care workers comprised of 2831, second dose numbers to 1907, frontline workers first dose numbered to 12, 381 and second dose to 4534.
The general population vaccination which started on March 1, 2021 administered a total of 23849 doses.
Rebecca asserted that none of the beneficiaries have suffered from any severe adverse effects. In this regard, she called upon community participation and to do away with any misconception.
She also highlighted on various frequently asked questions and information related to the vaccine.
She informed that that herd immunity would be achieved when a significant number of people (at least 60%) in the community produce immunity or antibodies, which would also help by breaking the chain of transmission of virus.
She also informed that to register for the vaccine one can visit www.covid.gov.In or can go to any COVID-19 vaccination centres (CVC) by providing required document such as Aadhar card, electoral photo ID, PAN card and official work ID.
At Dimapur, the vaccination centres for public facilities are located at District Hospital Dimapur, UPHC, Duncan, UPHC Burma camp, PHC Chümoukedima and all PHCs/CHCs from Monday to Thursday, free of cost.
For private hospitals, it will be available at Nikos on Wednesday, Eden on Thursday, CIHSR on Friday, Zion on Tuesday, Faith hospital on Wednesday with Rs. 250, per dose.
Further, she also informed that vaccine for citizens above 45 years of age would begin from April 1, 2021.
Meanwhile, resource person district tuberculosis (TB) officer, Dimapur, Dr. Benchilo Ngullie briefed about “TB Haregadesh Jeetga campaign” where the government of India has committed to end TB by 2025, five years ahead from the global target.
She mentioned that TB JAN andolan was one of the largest public health movements in the country that call for participation of all stakeholders.
She also mentioned about Nikshayposhan yojana and its benefits which provide nutritional support to TB patients.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Lotha Baptist Church senior associate pastor Yanbemo Lotha and was followed by an interaction session.
Various church leaders of Dimapur, colleges, NGOs, CMO staffs attended the programme.
Handbooks on TB, leaflets on TB and NTEP and COVID-19 vaccinations instructions were also distributed.