Russian made Sputnik vaccine to be available soon: Libang

ES Reporter

NAHARLAGUN, May 17: Minister  for Health & Family Welfare Alo Libang on Monday informed that the state government will make the Russian made Sputnik vaccine available  at private and government health centers of the state soon.
Libang, who launched the state Covid-19 vaccination campaign- ‘Tika Utsav’ at TRIHMS near here, said that 6 cases of highly contagious B.1.617.2 variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, have been detected in the state. Therefore, people should be more cautious and follow all the safety precautions issued by the health department.
He said that in the entire Papumpare district, 36 places have been designated where 100 vaccines per day are being vaccinated to people from the age group of 18-44 years. The ICR has received 300 vaccines so far on the first day of Tika Utsav, he added.
“We are also in the meantime making an effort to bring more vaccines and the department is in continuous touch with the Serum Institute of India (SII). Even the state government is making an effort to procure Russian -made Sputnik vaccine," he said.
Libang said that the health department has 50,000 covid vaccines for the targeted age of 45 years and above. However, there are only 20,180 vaccines for the people under the age group of 18 years and above.
The Tuka Utsav which was launched today will continue till May 30.
Meanwhile, DMO Mandeep Perme said that the vaccine doses can be availed at RKMH (Itanagar), TRIHMS and old building office of Art & Culture, Naharlagun. He said that the vaccine doses will increase the next day to 200 doses which will be provided in the same locations.
He, however, informed that there won’t be any spot registration for the dose and it should be done through online mode.
Covid-19 vaccination for the 18-44 year age group of citizens kicked off across Arunachal Pradesh today with appeals from the district health authorities to the eligible beneficiaries to participate in the drivewholeheartedly.
In Papum Pare district the Tika Utsav was launched at the Community Health Centres, Doimukh and Sagalee.
In Sagalee, former Chief Minister and local MLA Nabam Tuki launched the drive and in Doimukh it was launched in presence of WHO Consultant Dr Usma and MO I/c CHC Dr Lobsang Chuki. Out of the allotted 200 slots for the 18-44 age group , 172 were vaccinated on the day. The vaccination for 45+ beneficiaries continued as per schedule.
The DMO informed that vaccination for the 18-44 age group will  also start in the rest of the health centres of the district as and when stocks are received from the state, adding that online registration on Cowin portal is essential for the beneficiaries of the age group.

In Lower Subansiri district, the Tika Utsav was launched simultaneously by Education Minister Taba Tedir at CHC Yazali and Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Er. Tage Taki at Abotani Hall, Ziro.

Launching the vaccination drive at CHC Yazali, Tedir who is also the local MLA appealed to the people of the area to get themselves inoculated to contain the spread of the deadly virus and requested the youths to assist citizens in registering for the vaccination. He further appealed to them to follow all Covid-19 guidelines and SOPs. On the occasion, the Minister donated 30 PPE kits and 500 triple-layer masks to the CHC and later in a meeting evaluated the measures taken by the District Administration and Medical Department to contain the second wave in the area. While exhorting the stakeholders to put up a coordinated fight against the pandemic, Tedir also asked the MOICs to enhance RATs in the area. The meeting was attended by the Medical Officer In-charges of various hospitals and ZPMs of Yachuli Sub-Division, ZPC Likha Sangchhore and others.
On the first day, 100 beneficiaries were expected to be vaccinated at CHC, Yazali.
After launching the vaccination drive at Abotani Hall, Ziro which is the designated Covid vaccination centre in the township, Taki said that vaccine is the only permanent solution to the pandemic.
Exhorting all eligible people to come forward to get vaccinated, the Minister underlined the necessity for intensification of IEC activities at grassroots level. He also appealed to all the ZPMs to be proactive and assist the District Administration and the DMO in attaining the target of 80% vaccination by the end of this month.
I/c Vaccination Dr Radhe Anku informed that 100 beneficiaries were expected to be vaccinated on the first day and 100 more on May 18. Deputy Commissioner Somcha Lowang, SP Harsh Indora, DMO Dr Tage Kanno were present during the launch.
In East Siang the Tika Utsav was launched simultaneously at the BPGH Audio-Visual Hall and CHC Ruksin by Pasighat East MLA Kaling Moyong and Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering respectively. 
Reiterating the severity of the 2nd wave the MLAs urged the eligible youths and citizens to come forward for the vaccination, reminding the need for following all Covid-appropriate behaviour to combat the virus. At BPGH Pasighat, 97 and at CHC Ruksin, 92 eligible beneficiaries were administered the first dose of Covishield. However, according to official sources, a total of 346 beneficiaries including those from the 45-plus category were vaccinated on the day in the district. DC East Siang Dr Kinny Singh while appreciating the response, appealed to the district’s eligible beneficiaries to register their names online on Cowin portal. 
In Tawang district MLA Tsering Tashi launched the Tika Utsav at the Khandro Drowa Tsangmo District Hospital vaccination site in presence of DC Sang Phuntsok, DMO Dr Wangdi Lama, MS Dr N. Namshum and other senior doctors and officers.
Nodal Vaccination Officer Dr Namgey Dakpa informed that vaccines for the 18-44 year age group will be available in the afternoon from May 18 and 45+ beneficiaries will be covered in the morning session. Later, the MLA along with DC inspected the ongoing works at the IPD. While interacting with the doctors at the KDS DH conference hall, Tashi said that the entire Tawang district has been declared as a containment zone and anyone with flu-like symptoms should come forward for testing for early detection and prevention of further spread of the virus. Appreciating the dedication of the healthcare workers, he encouraged the doctors to work more sincerely. Though the workload is heavy and cases are increasing, we should keep working and give our best, he added.
During interaction with the MLA, Medical Superintendent Dr N. Namshum and other senior doctors placed their suggestions and other requirements in the hospital especially about the need for an well-equipped emergency ambulance. Taking part in the discussion, DSO, IDSP Dr Sangey Thinley said that the 14-day containment may not be sufficient since the virus’s incubation period is also 10-14 days and within this period it may not be possible to isolate every infected person resulting in further lengthening of the transmission chain.
In Dibang Valley district, the vaccination drive was launched in Anini.
Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa after assessing the on-ground problems has opened a dedicated counter at NIC Mini for the convenience of beneficiaries to register on the Cowin portal. On the first day, 100 eligible beneficiaries registered their names on the portal and received their first doses.
In West Kameng, Covid-19 vaccination for the 18-44 age group was launched at General Hospital, Bomdila by Deputy Commissioner Karma Leki.
The DC urged the eligible citizens to come forward for vaccination. The DMO informed that  on the first day a total of 100 beneficiaries is expected to get their first shot of the Covishield vaccine. SP, DSP HoDs were among others present in the inaugural programme.
Tika Utsav for the 18-44 age group beneficiaries of Tirap district was launched on the day by Deputy Commissioner Taro Mize in presence of SP Kardak Riba, DMO Dr N. Lowang and IPR representative Gawang Sumpa at the CVC of General Hospital, Khonsa.
The DC urged all citizens of the district to follow Covid SOPs, assuring that the District Administration in collaboration with the frontline workers, Tirap Police and IPR department are taking all-possible steps to combat the pandemic. Besides public announcements over loudspeakers, all entry check gates are being checked properly to ensure that people entering the district are not Covid carriers and stickers are also being displayed at the residences of Covid patients under home isolation for public alertness, he informed.
DMO Dr N. Lowang informed that till date 623 Covid-19 patients have recovered in the district including the 1st and 2nd waves and as of May 17 there were 47 Covid-19 active cases in the district including those at Deomali and Khonsa CCCs and some others also referred to DCHC Chimpu. Covishield vaccination is being carried out in full swing and till date more than 8000 beneficiaries have been vaccinated in the district with sessions being held at health facilities as well as in outreach areas, the DMO added. 
All home isolation Covid active cases are being monitored by a team of health workers including the DMO, DNO (Covid) and DRCHO. DIPRO

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List