As the nation is preparing to introduce vaccine for Covid-19 sometime early next year, a District Task Force meeting for launching the programme in West Garo Hills district was held today in Tura with all the stakeholders for the smooth initiation of the programme.
Initiating the discussion, Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, said that it was very welcoming and relieving at the same to have the remedy finally against the dreaded Covid-19 virus which has been tormenting the people world over for almost a year now.
“Therefore, it was imperative to prepare ourselves and have the systems and all logistics ready in place by creating necessary infrastructures and facilities like cold storage and sensitize the people against any possible rumour mongering and negative publicity about the new vaccine,” he said.
The Deputy Commissioner said that with the onset of winter and the festivity of Christmas celebration being round the corner, the cases of Covid-19 is only likely to surge as the people will socialize more and revelers mingle, adding however, that the festivals cannot be stop and advised the people to maintain the given protocols like wearing of masks and social distancing while enjoying the festivity.
Informing that ten people have succumbed to the disease in the district, he urged both the symptomatic and asymptomatic persons to come forward and get themselves tested for the disease, the facilities for which is being given free of cost at the government hospital Stating that elderly people with co morbidity diseases like hypertension, diabetes and cancers are highly vulnerable, the Deputy Commissioner had advised the people to limit the intake of salt, sugar and sodas in their diet
Dr Ivonne M. Sangma, District Maternity & Child Officer, who also is a designated Nodal Officer for review of deaths due to Covid narrated the various preparatory stages for vaccination and said that an in-depth and comprehensive planning was required for launching of the programme as this particular vaccination campaign is going to surpass all other previous campaigns in scale and duration in that as the disease in pandemic in nature and characteristics against which much is still desired to be learnt.
She also informed that when received, the vaccine shots shall be first given to over 4,500 doctor nurses ASHA and other paramedics who formed the frontline workers in the district against Covid, the elderly people and to others on the need and priority basis.
Participating in the discusion Reverend Janang Sangma of Achik Baptist Dalgipa Krima ABDK, Tura suggested the district administration could issue orders against burning of crackers during Christmas and New Year celebrations which he said are contributory factors to pollutions which is said to have a direct bearing and aggravates the Covid situation.
