India is one of the countries most affected by the Covid19 pandemic, the immediate spread of the virus among the population has caused serious consequences and many victims. The A vaccine for All campaign has therefore decided to direct its second symbolic action precisely towards the rural populations of India.
Awareness raising and data collection
The Rural India Initiative project, in collaboration with Shanti Ashram through its International Centre for Child and Public Health (ICPH) in Coimbatore , led to the creation of information materials in Tamil (the local language) and English, to raise awareness among the population on the importance of the vaccine and to dispel some of the beliefs that were hindering the spread of prevention rules and vaccination itself. In addition to raising awareness, field workers collected data on the most fragile and vulnerable groups who need the vaccine, including families living in extreme poverty, single mothers, HIV patients and people with disabilities, in addition to supporting the vaccination campaign among the elderly and adolescents. The Shanti Ashram research team also continued to conduct analyses and needs assessments both for their own use and for the Government of Tamil Nadu . The Research Desk publishes articles on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and vulnerable children.
Vaccinations
From January, the start date of the project, to March 2022, 802 people were vaccinated in the villages of Ramachettipalayam, Kasturigarden, Maraimalainagar, Sentamilnagar, Gandhinagar, Thiruvalluvarnagar, Kuniamuthur, Nagarajapuram, Kurumbapalayam. To reach everyone, especially those who risked missing out on administration due to conditions of extreme poverty and lack of access to technology, we worked at the ICPH campus and through mobile clinics that go directly to the villages.
Celebrating the operators
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Shanti Ashram also had the opportunity to participate in the celebrations to recognize the enormous commitment and contribution given during the most critical phases of the pandemic by nurses and health workers, especially women. With all their possible effort and their humanity, they ensured treatment, vaccine and help to the entire population.