VACCINATION – THE TOOL FOR A BETTER HEALTH

(PIC: VACCINATION CAMP ON 12TH JULY 2021)

As India saw the exponential rise in the no. of new cases for covid-19, the 2nd wave has already spread to the project intervention areas in Dhemaji District. The vaccines were soon introduced by the Government to the public, but the villagers had a strange misconception about the covid-19 vaccination drive. They assumed vaccination will make them weak and eventually take their lives within 2 years. In contrast, after the awareness program on covid19 vaccination by Team WDC, people understood the importance of prevention against this deadly virus and so more and more villagers can be now seen taking their 1st dose of vaccination without hesitation.

“Namoni Sisitongani” is a village under “Sisiborgaon Block” in “Dhemaji” district and the people majorly belong to “Mishing” community, recognized as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in Assam. Their main source of livelihood is agriculture and related activities.

Mr. Pradip Doley, 45 is the Vice President of “Namoni Sisitongani”. He is an active community leader and engages himself in all sorts of community and development related activities in the area. On 1st June 2021, Dhemaji district administration declared “Borlung Pancayat”, the neighboring villages of “Namoni
Sisitongani” a Red Zone due to high number of increasing new cases. Soon after hearing the news Mr. Pradip Doley promptly makes arrangement to sensitize his village. He also managed to arrange a community vaccination camp with the help their local medical team.
It was a challenging task as nobody in the village showed interest in getting vaccinated. So, the medical team had to leave. There was a rumor spread across the villages that vaccination will take their lives within two years of getting vaccinated. The “ASHA” worker with its medical team tried to convince the people but it was a failure. At this stage the villagers had adopted very less or no precautions against the virus and could be seen moving freely without face masks and without observing any social distance. 

(PIC: 7TH JULY 2021– COVID RESPONSE BY WDC)
With support from the BMZ Global Project, Team WDC organized a Covid Relief Distribution event for Person with Disabilities and Widows on 7th July 2021 at “Namoni Sisitongani”. Dry Ration and Hygiene Kits (Sanitizer, Washing Soap, Bathing Soap) were distributed. There was a demonstration on proper usage of hand sanitizer and hand washing habits.  The ASHA worker and Vice President were present in the event, and they communicated with the local people on their queries about covid-19. It was program with dual purpose: 
  • Awareness Program on Covid 19 and
  • Covid-19 Relief Distribution
(PIC: 7TH JULY 2021– COVID RESPONSE BY WDC)
Team WDC explained in detail about the symptoms of covid-19 and the possible life risks from the virus. Benefits of vaccination to self and their family members were also explained focusing on convincing them to get vaccinated at the earliest. The villagers eventually gained confidence that vaccination is the way to a better life. Team WDC specially requested the women to get vaccinated so that they can save herself and in return save her children from the virus. 
(PIC: 12TH JULY 2021 – VACCINATION CAMP)
After the Relief Distribution and Awareness program was over, the people of “Namoni Sisitongani” assured Team WDC of their willingness to get vaccinated and later seen participating in the Vaccination camp organized on 12th July 2021 for their 1st doses.
Mr. Pradip Doley, the Vice President of the “Namoni Sisitongani” village commented “Earlier I have communicated the same information to the villagers what Team WDC has informed today but nobody listened and understood the importance of following Covid protocol and vaccination. Since you are people from NGO, people believe you to be highly qualified with lot of knowledge. So, the people at least try to listen and make efforts to understand your words and instructions”.  
Lastly Mr. Pradip Doley thanked BMZ Global Program and Team WDC for providing support to the people of “Namoni Sisitongani” and wishes to get similar support in the future.
VACCINATION – THE TOOL FOR A BETTER HEALTH
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