How Changlang district in Arunachal exceeded vaccination expectations

ITANAGAR:  

Located on the border of Myanmar, the remote Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh has managed to get fifty per cent of its 18-44 population and over 90 per cent of its 45+ age group vaccinated with a first dose. 

As per the 2011 census, Changlang is the second most populous district of Arunachal Pradesh, after Papum Pare.

As part of a “vaccination challenge” announced for twelve health centres under Changlang, the vaccination targets were achieved over a three-day-long campaign held by the district administration last week. 

“A few weeks ago, the active caseload had crossed 400… We realised we had to vaccinate as fast as we could,” stated Devansh Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Changlang. 

The medical officers of various health care centres were advised to ramp up the vaccination process, announcing cash awards for their utility. Perhaps, in the course of time, the district crossed its target by 200.1 per cent.

In their continuous effort, the officials employed a JCB excavator to clear the slushy roads to reach out to the remote villages located close to the Myanmar border.

The Innao Primary Health Centre (PHC), which caters to areas primarily inhabited by the Chakma community, had a daily target of 300 and managed to administer more than 900 shots per day, winning the first prize of Rs 2 lakh in the challenge. 

However, nine other health centres also received a cash prize of Rs 25,000 each due to their ingenious and enthusiastic participation.

(Edited by Ridhika Joshi)

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