Kiphire DC T Wati Aier flagging off 'Mission Corona Vijay' at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office at Kiphire on October 25. (Morung Photo)
Mission aims to encourage and sensitise people on importance of taking vaccines
Morung Express News
Kiphire | October 25
With vaccine hesitancy still prevalent in the district and only 21% its populace vaccinated so far, the American Indian Foundation in partnership with Prodigals Home launched ‘Mission Corona Vijay’ in Kiphire on October 25 to encourage and sensitise people about the importance of taking vaccines.
The launching programme at the DC Conference Hall was graced by the Kiphire Deputy Commissioner, T Wati Aier as special guest in the presence of tribal bodies, women’s organisations, ward chairpersons and public leaders.
Addressing the event, DC Aier expressed hope that the mission to spread awareness about the importance of vaccination would give impetus towards achieving the district’s vaccination target.
Despite efforts to educate people on the need for vaccination, the status in Kiphire was still low, he noted with concern and appealed to the tribal hohos, public leaders and church bodies to spread awareness about the need to take vaccine.
People should not take chance with life and take vaccine as it is the only way to be safe, the DC reminded.
He also gave assurance of the district administration’s help and cooperation, and asked the organisers to provide regular updates about the progress in the district.
Taking part in the programme, Country Director of American India Foundation (AIF) Mathew Joseph stated that Kiphire and Mon are the first districts from the north-east region to launch ‘Mission Corona Vijay.’ He thanked district administration, medical team and other partners for the support and cooperation rendered to the foundation and Prodigal’s Home.
Exhorting the gathering, Dr Mahesh Srinivas who is the Programme Director for Public Health, AIF, said the end result of the programme is to see that every eligible people are vaccinated.
Highlighting the overall vaccination scenario in Kiphire district, Dr Pewezo Khalo, District Immunisation Officer, said that till date 21% of the population has been vaccinated so far and noted that it is “much below the target.”
He said it is encouraging to see that few NGOs are coming forward to help the medical team which he felt, would improve the vaccination drive in the district.
Stating that COVID-19 is a public health issue, he also called for support and cooperation from the public.
Meanwhile, United Sangtam Likhüm Pümji (USLP) General Secretary P Achumse Yingbithongrü expressed gratitude to the AIF for choosing Kiphire and Mon for the mission and hoped that it would broaden the public’s understanding on the advantages of vaccination.
Though there is high rate of vaccine hesitancy in the district, he expressed hope that the spread of false information about vaccines, particularly on social media platforms, would be contained with the active awareness programme initiated by the NGOs.
The programme was chaired by Temong Y Tikhir, Block Coordinator, Kiphire Prodigal’s Home, welcome address was delivered by Jenpu Rongmei, while vote of thanks was delivered by K Sani, Project Director, Prodigal’s Home.
