Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 20: Three gram panchayats (GP) in the state which have adopted efficient and effective plans of action to regulate spread of the Covid19 second wave have been recognized by the central government in its MyGov app. Balepuni in Dakshina Kannada district is one among them.

The other two gram panchayats which have won this rare honour happen to be Hoddur in Kodagui district and Munirabad in Koppal district. Balepuni village could achieve this distinction with the fine performance of the task forces formed at the village and gram panchayat levels.

Vaccination programme in progress at Balepuni gram panchayat (file photo)

The Balepuni gram panchayat undertook vaccination drive even before the second coronavirus wave started. When the people expressed hesitation to get vaccinated on account of unfound notions and fears, the people were convinced about the benefits of vaccines and about 236 were vaccinated very early. As the panchayat felt that people might encounter problems in getting themselves registered in the website, registration facility was provided at the panchayat office. The fact that vaccination camp was being organized was individually informed to each villager over phone. Three camps on these lines were conducted in this way, says panchayat development officer, Sunil Kumar.

The people's representatives and members of the workforce had arranged for free vehicles to those who attended the vaccination camps. At the beginning of the second wave, the challenge of keeping an eye on people in home isolation proved to be a complicated job.

For this purpose, a helpline was set up at the panchayat office from where two calls were made every day to the infected persons to enquire about the status of their health. Those in need were provided with food kits. Poor people were given thermometers free of cost. Pulse oximeters were given by rotation and watch was constantly kept, he added.

When the second wave started, people coming from other districts, states and foreign countries were compulsorily made to undergo seven days of quarantine. Covid primary infection persons were identified and tested. Although the village is located near the state border and town, all these steps helped in keeping the infection in control, he stated.