STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: An innovative and unique initiative to build capacity and engaging NSS (National Scheme Service) volunteers on the COVID-19 response programme in Assam was successfully launched on Monday.
The programme was organised by LEHS|WISH in collaboration with National Health Mission (NHM) Assam, Directorate of Health Services (Family Welfare) Government of Assam, Gauhati University NSS Cell, and Ramaiah University.
The objective of this initiative was to build the capacity of NSS Volunteers on a varied facet of COVID-19 prevention and management and to facilitate the initiation of a community-based participatory health and wellness action plan in Assam. Through the intervention, is intended to enhance community engagement in sustainable health and wellness programmes and reinforce access to quality health care services, thereby contributing to the COVID care management and response. With the role of community volunteers being central to community mobilisation, it is necessary to build the capacity of youth volunteers and front-line workers to engage them in a greater and more meaningful manner at every point in the care cascade.
Specific modules and innovative course for COVID-19 response and management by community volunteers have been developed by Ramaiah International Centre for Public Health Innovations in collaboration with LEHS|WISH for capacity building of NSS volunteers, which will empower them to render better services to the needy community. Systematic and structured engagement of the trained NSS volunteers will strengthen Assam's response to COVID-19. This programme also aims to strengthen the grassroots response to COVID-19.
Through this initiative, around 400 NSS volunteers from various Colleges of Gauhati University in the State are all set to render services in their locations to fight against COVID-19 as warriors.
Presenting introductory remarks Dr Arup Jyoti Kalita, Senior manager, LEHS|WISH explained the objectives of engaging NSS volunteers in COVID-19 response and capacity building programmes. He said that this initiative is an effort to enable all the volunteers with important information on health and wellness, particularly on COVID 19 response programmes.
Speaking at the workshop, Dr Ranjan Kumar Kakati, Director of Students' Welfare and in-charge of NSS Cell, Gauhati University, said that the NSS community has been extending remarkable service during the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteers are also engaging in outreach and COVID care activities in their areas. This capacity building of volunteers and program officers will empower them to render better services to the needy community.
The technical sessions were attended by Dr Mousumi Krishnatreya, Associate Professor, Gauhati Medical College, Professor Bellur Prabhakar of University of Illinois, USA, Dr Ananth Ram and Shailee Shah as resource persons.