SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
SILCHAR: The district administration of Cachar has adopted multi-pronged strategy to control COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the administrative machinery in coordination with the health department is working from the war room to reach out to maximum number of people across the district for free vaccination and tests, both RAT and RT-CPR, giving preference to senior citizens, ladies with children and physically challenged. Quite remarkable, rural and tea belts have also been covered with equal importance.
And all this is being possible with meticulous planning and the think-tank behind it is Keerthi Jalli, Deputy Commissioner of Cachar. Soft and laconic, she believes in 'action not contemplation.' Most appreciable has been the opening of dedicated model vaccination centre for physically challenged at Government Girls Higher Secondary School in coordination with NGO Saksham. Other NGOs are also asked to join to give edge to the drive that will conclude on next Thursday.
Another novel initiative has been the 'Jeevan Deep' programme to support patients, mildly symptomatic and with breathing difficulties. During monsoon, patients experience sinsusitis or inflation of nasal sinus and SARI symptoms. COVID also affects their breathing system. Patients are advised to avail themselves of this facility to stabilise oxygen needs. Two dedicated teams of chief health officers and paramedics are ready round the clock with mobile van, oxygen concentrator and pulse oximeter. Patients can ring up war room. Teams will reach them to support with oxygen concentrator. Ambulance to pick them up for admission in hospital will also reach them, if need be.
Besides, a weeklong 'Cachar Arogya Chabagicha' campaign has been launched from Rampur tea estate. 59 tea gardens have been brought under it for tests and isolation. 5,820 tea workers have been tested for RAT and 3529 for RT-CPR. Of them, 289 tested positive who have been admitted in Chotodudhpatil COVID Care Centre and other isolation facilities in tea gardens. 224 plus have been vaccinated. The Deputy Commissioner has said the campaign in tea gardens will continue and intensified.