In an effort to vaccinate as many people as possible, the Public Health Department has enlisted the help of priests and princes (who practice traditional medicine) to create awareness among villagers on the need for thorough immunization in the hinterland of the state. has decided.
In cities, the department is taking the help of celebrities and local leaders to create awareness.
Maharashtra has already vaccinated more than 9.3 crore people which is second in the country after Uttar Pradesh. However, about 6.5 crore people have not yet received the second dose. Therefore, recently the Public Health Department officials held a meeting with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to discuss new ways to make people aware about the mass vaccination program.
“A large part of the population in rural Maharashtra is surviving the second dose. We are tracking all the beneficiaries and will counsel them,” said Dr Archana Patil, Director of Health Services. “At the same time, we would request local leaders to urge people to get vaccinated,” he said.
Officials of the district health office claim that as the outbreak of the pandemic continues to grow, most people from rural areas are avoiding vaccination completely.
Therefore, district health officials are requesting traditional healers like hakims and priests to sensitize local people to be fully immunized.
Gadchiroli District Health Officer Dr Shashikant Shambharkar said, “Priests and Hakims are holding important and respectable positions in rural districts. People listen to them. So we are trying to mobilize the villagers to make them aware. We are reaching remote places like Mardakuhi, Koyanvarshi and Korakuti.
Apart from this, the district authorities are organizing plays on the streets by planting local artists.
Whereas in cities, civil health officials are trying to get help from celebrities to raise awareness, especially in slums. For example, on Sunday, Dr Gautam Bhansali, in-charge of Covid beds in private hospitals, along with BMC organized a vaccine awareness camp in Dharavi where actor Sonu Sood was invited. About 36 school students were also invited who encouraged adults to get jobs.
“Mumbai is a city of cinema and celebrities have a deep impact on people. So we invited Sonu Sood to reassure and encourage people. And it got a great response,” said Dr Bhansali.
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