ITANAGAR, Jun 21: ‘Tika Maha Abhiyan’, the flagship Covid vaccination initiative of the government of Arunachal Pradesh which aims to vaccinate all its 18+ aged citizens on a mission mode in the next three months was launched today across the state.
Launching the mega vaccination drive, Chief Minister Pema Khandu informed that after the January 16 nation-wide rollout, Arunachal Pradesh has so far covered nearly 4,00,000 individuals which is 25% of its total estimated population and 38% of the eligible beneficiaries. For the second dose it is nearly 80,000 which is 5% of the total estimated population and 7% of eligible beneficiaries, Khandu informed while lauding the District Administrations and health workers for the coverage despite difficulties due to bottlenecks in communication, electricity, telecommunication and adverse weather conditions. “I thank all the ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers, GBs, elected representatives including MLAs, municipal corporators, PRI members, community based and youth organizations, religious and spiritual leaders for contributing to the exercise,” the CM said. 
There will be facilities for walk-in and on-site registrations to cover the maximum unvaccinated populations of all age groups (18+) in the shortest possible time, Khandu informed. “Beneficiaries those who do not have any photo identity proof as prescribed would also be vaccinated in the districts through special sessions organized under the Person without Identity (PWI) module on the CoWIN application, especially in respect of prisoners, old-age homes, rehabilitation centres etc.,” he added. While advocating to increase the capacity to administer 5-6 thousand doses to 12000 daily with proactive and strenuous capacity upgradation efforts, the CM suggested the DAs to identify at least one PHC or CHC in rural and interior areas for equipping with all basic infrastructure and equipment necessary tackle COVID cases. “It is speculated that the 3rd wave is coming. Therefore we have to be prepared for it. As the third wave is supposed to affect the children in particular, I have directed for the constitution of a State Task Force with a special group of Child Specialists as members to prepare a plan to deal with it if it comes,” he informed. 
Seeking cooperation from all stakeholders, Khandu asserted that the state strives to cover all its 18+ eligible population within a period of 3 months and become one of the first states to achieve a full Covid vaccination status. He also urged the people not to become complacent and continue observing COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour to avoid the repetitive waves of infections. 
East Siang
In East Siang Hq Pasighat, local MLA Kaling Moyong today launched the district level ‘Tika Maha-Abhiyan’ at BPGH.
Youth icon and Miss Arunachal 2020 Tokmem Mengu, who has been roped in by the District Administration as the ambassador for the vaccination drive in the district also joined the launching ceremony and urged all to come forward for vaccination. The MLA affirmed that   all outreach  efforts will be made by the stakeholders comprising the Chief Councillor of the PMC and councillors,  ZPC,  ZPMs, District Police,  CBOs etc. to motivate the masses. DC East Siang Dr. Kinny Singh informed that the left-out population and youths will be benefitted by the two-week free vaccination drive with the target to achieve the 1st dose vaccination of the unvaccinated population of the district by July 15 next.
Through 50% on-spot vaccination, the general public from 18 yrs and above can visit their nearest vaccination centres, while the remaining 50% can be booked online, the DC added. SP Sumit Kumar Jha and PMC Chief Councillor Okiam Moyong Borang also appealed to the district’s people to take part in the vaccination process.
Deputy Chief Councillor, councillors, ZPMs, Jt. DRCHO Dr. D. Raina, DMO, Dr. Kaling Dai, DRCHO Dr. T. Gao, DDICDS Machi Gao, District Surveillance Officer Dr. Tarik Talom, MS, BPGH Dr. Y.R. Darrang were among others present on the occasion.
Papum Pare
In Papum Pare district Hq Yupia, the Tika Maha Abhiyan was launched by MLA 14th Doimukh AC Tana Hali Tara at CHC Doimukh.
Hali  lauded the  health workers for their tireless efforts to contain the pandemic in the district and appealed to the people to pay no heed to the rumours and get vaccinated. The vaccination drive was also launched at 12 other Covid Vaccination Centres in the district wherein a total of 722 were vaccinated on the day.
West Siang, Shi-Yomi
In West Siang, the mega Covid vaccination drive was rolled out jointly by Deputy Commissioner Moki Loyi and brand ambassador for Covid-19 Awareness, former national football goalkeeper and coach Gumpe Rime amid fanfare at the General Hospital premises in Aalo.
The WHO representative, doctors, nurses and medical staff were present during the launching ceremony. The DC and Rime lauded the outstanding roles played by the district’s HCWs and FLWs in containing the disease during the first and second waves and appealed all to get inoculated. DMO Dr. Moli Riba and DFWO Dr. Tomar Kamki disclosed that the vaccination process will go as per the plan to give adequate coverage, particularly in the no-network zones. Those who have got the slots online will be vaccinated during morning hours and elaborate arrangements have been made to carry out spot registrations in the afternoon sessions, the health officials informed.
In Shi-Yomi district, the Tika Maha Abhiyan was launched by Deputy Commissioner Mito Dirchi at CHC Mechuka.
West Kameng
In West Kameng, Deputy Commissioner In-charge Sang Khandu launched the vaccination drive at General Hospital, Bomdila.
On the first day, a target to vaccinate 400 beneficiaries was set. The inaugural session was attended by the COVID-19 campaign ambassador of West Kameng, singer Urgen Tsomu, EAC (HQ) Oni Padung, CO (HQ) Kesang Wangda, DMO RN Thongchi, DRCHO T D Namsa, MS Gom Lhamu, doctors and other officials. Urgen appealed to the district’s people to continue adhering to all COVID precautions and get vaccinated at the earliest. 
The Abhiyaan was also launched at CHCs and PHCs across West Kameng and till June 20, a total of 25687 beneficiaries have been vaccinated in the district. 
Lower Subansiri
In Lower Subansiri district, Education Minister Er. Taba Tedir launched the Tika Maha Abhiyaan at CHC Yazali.
Reiterating that the vaccine is the only weapon against coronavirus, Tedir appealed to all eligible beneficiaries to get vaccinated at the nearest government health facility free of cost. “18 villages under Ziro- II reaching a 100 % vaccination coverage for the 45+ category is a great achievement. Our health workers have withstood harsh weather and bad road conditions and many physical and emotional challenges to achieve this. Let us all cooperate with them to achieve our collective aim of defeating the virus,” the Minister exhorted. As per headcount based on door-to-door survey conducted by the ASHAs and Anganwadi workers, 91% of the targeted age group of 45+ has been vaccinated in Yazali Circle. On  the occasion, NGO World Vision donated 10 oxygen concentrators to CHC Yazali. 
In Ziro, Deputy Commissioner Somcha Lowang launched the vaccination drive at the DC's conference hall in presence of DMO Dr. Tage Kanno, SMO Dr. Kime Horming, DRCHO I/c Dr. Radhe Angku and Dr. Rima Batra from the WHO. To ensure maximum vaccination coverage during the drive, 31 active Covid Vaccination Centers across the district will be providing services to the beneficiaries and if necessary, outreach sessions will also be planned.
Tirap
In Tirap, DC Tirap Taro Mize and 55-Khonsa East MLA Wanglam Sawin jointly launched the Tika Maha Abhiyaan in presence of DMO Dr. N. Lowang, doctors, nurses and HoDs at General Hospital, Khonsa.
All PRIs members will have to play a pivotal role in spreading grassroots awareness on Covid vaccination, the DC said. The MLA while appreciating the District Administration, health workers, Tirap Police, PRIs and AWWs and ASHAs for their efforts, appealed all to avail the free vaccination. CMO, DIPRO

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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

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