Awareness program on COVID-19 held at Mission Compound, Shillong

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 3, 2021

An awareness program on COVID-19 vaccine was organized by the East Khasi Hills district administration in collaboration with the dorbar shnong of Jaiaw at Mission Compound Community Hall on July 1.

The program was attended by the local MLA, A Nongrum, the Vicar General, Father Richard M Majaw from the Catholic Church, Pastor WC Khongwir from the Presbyterian Church of Jaiaw and Rangbah PD Nongrum from the Seng Khasi Kmie.

Amongst the experts on the panel Dr Meban Kharkongor MD, Medicine from H.Gordon Roberts Hospital Jaiaw, Dr AM Kharbamon MD, Medicine and Dr J.Lyngwa from Jaiaw UPHC.

A power point presentation was presented by S. Nongkynrih, Executive Magistrate of Jaiaw and statistics based on the Covid-19 Vaccination drive in Jaiaw area was highlighted.

Jaiaw upto June 17, 2021 has recorded 21% vaccination for age group 45 years and above in 16 sessions of the vaccination drive while for the age group 18-44 years another 23.81% in just four sessions of the vaccination drive. This shows that the 18-44 years age group are more eager in taking the vaccine. Until 1 st July 2021, 17 (seventeen) covid related fatalities have occurred and it is worth mentioning that out of these 17 only one person had received the 1^st dose of the vaccine while the rest has not been vaccinated at all.

Father Richard M Majaw during his discourse reiterated that the church cannot coerce its believers but it can only encourage them to come forward and take the vaccine.

Pastor WC Khongwir of the Presbyterian church Jaiaw talked about the trauma and pain that people suffer while visiting ICU patients in the hospitals. He reiterated further that he is moved to tears when he accompanies the relatives to the graveyard for the last rites.

He also argued that when one faces doubt they should not spread this doubt to others.

Rangbah P.D.Nongrum spoke about the initial stages of the advent of the Covid-19 virus when it rampaged the western countries and narrated the speed at which the vaccination took place in these countries which allowed some normalcy to return. He understood that the target of the health department is to achieve what is called herd immunity. He explained that if everone is safe, one is safe. We are all small bricks trying to build a huge wall and it is possible only if everyone participates in building this wall.

Dr Meban Kharkongor who is the nodal officer of the covid response team from Roberts Hospital narrated how the covid wards in the hospital is never out of patients and seeing the rapid increase of covid patients in the hospital points to the rapid spread of the virus.

He narrates that the PPE though it protects us from the virus to a certain extent is still not a guarantee for total protection. The covid vaccine is the only assured protection where we can have a sense of safety and security. While responding to queries from the participants he explained about the fears that most people have about the effects of the vaccine and how statistically after numerous experiments the vaccine is put to test to avoid any side effects.

One question on whether any outbreak of a third wave is possible, he responded by saying that when children are infected by the virus is when it turns out that a certain reaction of the antibodies working against its own system in the bodies of children is when we fear that the third wave is inevitable and the race to approve vaccines for children is on. The doctor also elaborated that so far in Meghalaya he has not come across any case of infertility out of the use of the vaccine.

He in fact said that many patients who have taken the vaccine conceived during this period and some who out of ignorance that they are pregnant has taken the vaccine and the condition of the foetus is stable.

Another expert panelist, Dr. A.M.Kharbamon a medicine specialist who runs a clinic in Laitumkhrah and Jaiaw spoke about her experiences with patients who get medical treatment from her. She said that most of her patients are the ones with chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, thyroid etc.

These patients have consulted her about the vaccine and its effects on their bodies. While most of the eligible patients are advised to take the vaccine they did not face any problems. She explained in detail about how the covishield vaccine which has a parent company named astrazeneca in Europe and America has high safety standards.

On one query about the covishield not being listed as one of the passport vaccine to visit European countries she explained that any vaccine that is being used in any country has to apply for approval for administrative purposes other than medical purposes and since covishield is not administered in Europe and America by that particular name it did not feel the need to apply for one but now since the issue has cropped up the company has duly applied and soon she believes it will be listed in the European passport.

She also pointed out that the seriousness of the use of covid vaccines is so high that until the country has achieved almost complete vaccination, this vaccine is being produced at a no profit price by the manufacturer and that is the reason it is still not available on the shelf.

Dr Lyngwa from Jaiaw UPHC spoke about the experiences she faced during this most crucial period of vaccination and how she along with her team tried their best to encourage the people to get themselves vaccinated in order to be protected from this virus.

She even held awareness programs with the shopkeepers, drivers, domestic helpers etc in this area.

The Rangbah Shnongs took active part in the discussion and brought out a lot of queries based on the fears that the local people have in their areas and all these queries were answered and explained with thorough interaction with the health experts.

The Dorbar made a unanimous decision that they are going to take this important mission forward and sensitize the residents with a strong appeal to use their conscience wisely and not be carried away by anti vaccine messages that may harm and put their lives in danger.