Health Department seeks help from religious heads

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Health Department has appealed to the Church, heads of various indigenous faiths and community leaders to motivate their faithful and community members to take the Covid-19 vaccine.

Health Minister Keshab Mahanta, Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua and other top Health officials had a meeting today. Christian priests and heads of various indigenous faiths from Kokrajhar, Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, Goalpara, Sonitpur etc., and community leaders were also present at the meeting. Thirty-one religious leaders, including those of ISKON, North East Community Health Association, Udalguri Boro Baptist Convention, a member of the Catholic Council of India, were present.

The Health Minister appealed to the religious heads to reach out to the masses and make the vaccination drive successful.

The Chief Secretary requested the Church leaders to make a strong appeal to the people for vaccination, especially during the Sunday prayers.

Rumour mongers have spread negative and false information regarding the Covid-19 vaccine among sections in Dima Hasao, Cachar, Baksa, Darrang, Chirang, tea gardens etc. So much so that many people among these sections are reluctant to take the vaccine doses.

The meeting discussed the rumours that make the commoners shy away from taking Covid-19 vaccines. The Health Department wants the Church, the heads of indigenous faiths and community leaders to team up with it to convince the commoners to take the vaccine.

The awareness drive will start on November 14. Today's meeting prepared an action plan to carry out the awareness drive.

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