By Francis Khongwar
Shillong ( Meghalaya ), March 30 :’The Government’s vaccination drive in the state needs an impetus with technical and materialistic assistance with a stronger community engagement to expedite the process of vaccination especially in areas of low vaccination rate or unreachable pockets of the state’, said Dr. Richa Sharma ,team leader of ISRN.
In order to expedite the vaccinations, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) supported MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity has partnered with as ISRN in 4 districts of RiBhoi,West Khasi Hills, South Garo Hills and East Garo Hills of Meghalaya, said Dr. Sharma .
Indian Social Responsibility Network (ISRN), is a National Level Non-Governmental organization (NGO) working in the field of COVID – 19 Vaccination Programme in 10 selected districts of Meghalaya (4) & Nagaland (6), to support & amplify government’s efforts in successfully vaccinating the eligible population, to cover the left out and non-vaccinated population above age 12, with special focus on People with co-morbidity and marginalized ones, such as tribal population, people living in hard to reach areas.
ISRN has been doing different types of field level activities for amplifying the Covid – 19 vaccination programme in the state like awareness camps, supporting vaccination camps, wall writing, , Interpersonal communication (IPC), training for Healthcare/Frontline workers, Vaccine on Wheels, regular meeting with Stakeholders at State, District level, Partnership with Stakeholders such as Self Help Groups, Community-based Organizations, Faith based Organizations, engagement of Schools, Colleges and institutions .
Next in the pipeline would be to cover the age group of 12-14 eligible population along with 14+ eligible ones, in the state in coming days and they look forward to collaborate with voluntary organization in the districts.
‘ With these initiatives, we hope to further support the Government to accelerate the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination and help in fighting this pandemic’, added Dr. Sharma
