Media workshop on strengthening health communication
Varanasi: A media workshop on ‘Strengthening Health Communication – COVID Appropriate Behaviour and Vaccination’ and ‘National TB Elimination Programme’ was organised by the department of Health and Family Welfare and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-supported agency Centre for Advocacy and Research on Monday
Addressing the workshop, Dr. Shashikant Upadhyay, AD Medical Health and Family Welfare, said that media has played a praiseworthy role in making people aware of the safety measures to be taken during the crisis of COVID-19 that has helped in both prevention and control of the disease. “It is because of their positive role that we are finally heading towards winning battle against COVID-19,” he said adding that communicating about health programmes has resulted in improved access to services. It has especially raised awareness on Ayushman Bharat scheme and increased notification of TB patients.
The chief medical officer Dr. VB Singh said that the COVID-19 vaccine is completely safe and effective and there is no reason for any doubt. He shared his own experience of getting the vaccine shot and appealed everyone to get vaccinated on their turn. While discussing in detail the efforts made to control COVID-19 in the district, he explained how efforts from contact tracing to admitting patients in COVID hospitals helped in effective management of the pandemic and controlling the infection. Similarly, with the introduction of home isolation facility, every patient was closely monitored by the department.
He informed that 11,327 health workers and 716 frontline workers have been administered COVID-19 vaccines in the district so far. He further said that the body develops resistance to coronavirus in about 42 days after the first dose of vaccination. Hence, until then wearing masks and following social distancing has to be strictly followed by all. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water will prevent corona as well as other infectious diseases. He also gave detailed information about the preparations and status of implementation of the vaccination program. He said that after the vaccination of the health workers, the police personnel and home guards will be vaccinated in the second phase while people above 50 years and those suffering from serious illnesses will be vaccinated in the third phase.
Dr. RK Singh, District Tuberculosis Officer (DTO) discussed about the implementation status of National TB Elimination Programme. He informed that a total of 16 TB units and 62 microscopy centres have been established in the district. Three CBNAAT machines have been installed apart from which two Truenat machines of single module in Ramnagar and Kabirchaura Divisional Hospital and three Truenat Machines of Double Module in Cholapur, Chiragaon and Baragaon Primary Health Centers have been installed.
