COVID-19 vaccination for jail inmates and staff in Nagaland commenced on May 28 at Central Jail Dimapur. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express news
Kohima | May 29
Weeks after the state’s High Powered Committee (HPC) observed the crucial need for vaccinating prisoners across Nagaland, COVID-19 vaccination for jail inmates and staff in the state commenced on May 28 at Central Jail Dimapur.
According to Addl DG (Prisons) Renchamo P Kikon, the drive continued on Saturday for inmates and staff of Dimapur District Jail and Kohima District Jail.
While the vaccination drive was rolled out on voluntary basis, District jail authorities in Dimapur and Kohima district also informed that it has been receiving good response from the inmates.
The medical team who undertook the drive in Kohima District Jail on Saturday said that prior to vaccination, a sensitization and awareness programme was conducted for the inmates along with a medical health camp. Around 71 percent jail inmates were reportedly vaccinated in Kohima. Dimapur district jail authorities informed that about 76 percent of the inmates have been inoculated.
However, the response has not been as encouraging at the Central Jail Dimapur, which lodges the highest number of prisoners in the state. The ADGP informed that only 30 percent of inmates took the jab. The officer was of the view that proper sensitization and awareness would be required to cover the gap.
The vaccination drive in the other districts is expected to start next week. Currently, there are 429 prisoners lodged in different jails across Nagaland.
During the last HPC meeting on April 13, vaccination of jail inmates was discussed to be taken up on priority and the principal secretaries for Home and the Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) departments were asked to take up the issue.
It also said that jail staff, among others, should be vaccinated and called on the H&FW to ensure vaccination at the earliest.
“In the event of preventive measures not being taken and the inmates and prisoners not being vaccinated, infection of the prisoners with the virus will put more strain on the medical infrastructures of the State,” the HPC said at the time.
The committee is headed by Justice S Serto and Executive Chairperson, Nagaland State Legal Services Authority, with R Ramakhrishnan, Principal Secretary (Home), Nagaland and ADGP Renchamo P Kikon as members.
