TRIFED to leverage 45,000 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras for vaccination

The Minister of Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda, virtually launched ‘COVID Teeka Sang Surakshit Van Dhan aur Uddyam’ campaign to accelerate the pace of COVID vaccination among tribals in India. The campaign will leverage 45,000 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVK) of the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), a national level cooperative body under the administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.

The campaign was launched in partnership with UNICEF and WHO. The goal is to connect over 50 lakh tribals, informing them that COVID-19 vaccination is free and available in the nearby centres. It not only protects people from hospitalisation costs and death but also helps to continue with livelihood activities.

The campaign will highlight the three key Js:

• Jeevan (life): Every life is precious so vaccination is the key.
• Jeevika (livelihood): You can continue with your Van Dhan Vikas Kendra and livelihood activities without any fear of contracting the virus if you are vaccinated. It also saves you from hospitalisation and other costs.
• Jaagrookta (awareness): Simplification of the process of registration for vaccination, place, accessibility to different audience and age groups, especially women and elderly population. Van Dhan Vikas Kendras collaborate and work with other stakeholders with service as a motto and with dedication and commitment that they have a key role to make panchayats and villages Covid-free.

Munda launched the campaign through video conferencing link-up with field camps in Mandla in Madhya Pradesh and Bastar in Chhattisgarh. The Minister of State for Steel, Faggan Singh Kulaste, the Ministers of State for Tribal Affairs, Bishweswar Tudu and Renuka Singh, were also present virtually during the launch. Other dignitaries present during the launch were Pravir Krishna, MD, TRIFED; WHO representative Dr Roderico Ofrin; UNICEF India Representative Dr Yasmin Ali Haque; and Anupam Trivedi, ED, TRIFED.

On the occasion, Munda also launched the newly-prepared Digital Directory under TRIFED’s Digital Connect Programme. TRIFED started a Digital Connect programme under which a two-way communication process is proposed to be established with all tribal beneficiaries associated with Van Dhan Vikas Yojana and retail operations of TRIFED. Besides these, several other stakeholders interested in TRIFED activities are also being included to expand awareness about the schemes of TRIFED, and motivate them to be a part of these initiatives.

Launching the campaign, Munda said, “We have been able to overcome two challenging waves, gained experience and are determined to stop the third wave. We have a role to play in rebuilding a new society, free of COVID virus. The campaign hopes to make our Van Dhan Vikas Kendras and villages to be the first in respective states to be declared Covid-free.”

Giving details about the vaccination progress in tribal areas, he said that majority of the tribal districts are performing well in terms of vaccination coverage. “However, there is still hesitancy among certain groups due to fake news, myths, and rumours. Our campaign focusses on reassurance, pride and self-efficacy,” Munda added.

UNICEF India Representative, Dr Yasmin Haque said, “COVID-19 has exacerbated issues of access to sanitation, nutrition and health services in the tribal areas, making the people more vulnerable. This campaign is aligned with UNICEF’s equity approach to survival, growth and development of children. We are proud to be associated with this campaign, which focusses on vaccine equity and engages with communities that risk being left behind.”