The focus of the Odisha Government has shifted to rural areas to control the spread of Corona infection. However, there are reports of tribals being hesitant of inoculation. Amid this reluctance, the awareness drive of Jeebika Suraksha Manch, a people’s outfit of the non-profit Atmashakti Trust in Kandhamal is serving as a beacon of hope. A massive campaign which is underway in Kotagada and Tumudibandha blocks has resulted in over 700 people from the Kondh community, who constitute the largest population (around 60% of the total population) in terms of primitive tribes in these blocks, agreeing to vaccination. “We have exchanged words with the health officials of the nearest PHCs and CHCs to fix-up dates for vaccination in these areas and they have sought our help to counsel people for inoculation”, said a coordinator of the drive Bhramarabara Barik.
The Manch members have reached out to over 4,000 people in 134 villages of the two blocks. Not only that, they are using short and crisp messaging, visuals and catchy slogans through wall writings in more than 200 places in these areas to keep people updated on Covid-19 related information.
Salman Patamajhi, a 30-year-old boy from the Kondh tribe in Bangadi village of Kotagada block got vaccinated last week after a month of disbelief and reluctance which has a reason. He had heard that people are dying after inoculation. He could only believe it when the members of the organisation showed their own photos of vaccination and the certificate they received.
Then, Salman changed his mind. The case of Limbadhar Majhi (45) of Pagerpadi village of Tumudibandha is similar to Salman. When he saw photos and the certificate, he realised that people dying after taking vaccination is a misinformation.
Sabita Majhi, the word member of Sushabhata village said, “We have no internet facilities in our village and teledensity is also very poor. However, such a unique technique should be used to win faith among people living in far-flung areas where people are not much educated”. “We have been working with these communities for a long time. That helped us know what they will accept and what they will not.
It is heartening to see that people’s acceptance of vaccination has increased dramatically after we intervened," said Pravasini Batakara, a health worker of the organisation, who was recently congratulated by Central Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratap Sarangi.