Torpa in Khunti has become the first block in Jharkhand to achieve 100 per cent Covid-19 vaccination coverage. This tribal-dominated block has achieved this feat despite resistance against vaccination from villagers during the initial phase of the immunisation campaign.
However, the sincere hard work of district administration officials coupled with the assistance provided by NGOs helped in creating awareness about the vaccination and fast overcome the apprehensions associated with vaccination among villagers.
There are 95 villages in Torpa. So far 55939 people (population of 18 plus) have been vaccinated for the first dose.
This is 100% of the population eligible for the vaccine; moreover, 70 percent people have taken the second dose too.
Joint Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Gayatri Mishra on her visit to Torpa recently inquired about the campaign launched in Torpa.
The Joint secretary held a meeting with the officials and representatives of district administration congratulating the district administration team for achieving the target. Mishra further said that the work done at Torpa will be presented as a model for other districts.
Many NGOs have been engaged in the special campaign. Pradan, in collaboration with Azim Premji's organization, took up this scheme under the Jidhan (Jharkhand Integrated Development Health and Nutrition) project.
Khunti DC Shashi Ranjan said, “Initially beneficiaries’ list was prepared from the voters’ list. Later people were marked by visiting village to village. Various efforts were made. Teachers, para teachers and NGOs etc. were engaged.” He further said, “Night choupals and gram sabha were organized. Senior officials were deployed where people showed resistance.”
Chatakpur village of Husir Panchayat of Torpa block is located 15 km away from the block headquarter.
There are 116 houses here. About 319 people are eligible (over 18 years of age) to take the vaccine here. Every eligible person in the village has taken the first dose of the vaccine.
Barring about a dozen people, almost everyone has taken the second dose. The villagers here are basically cultivators. Achieving the ideal goal was not that easy. For the first time, when the health department personnel came to give the vaccine, the villagers refused to enter the village. After this, the local administration, along with some voluntary organizations, started persuading the people to get vaccinated.
