"Rope in NGOs to cut down challenges in inoculating tribals," advise NIlgiris Wayanad Tribal Welfare Society who have successfully culated vulnerable communities in Nilgiris
Coimbatore: The Nilgiris Wayanad Tribal Welfare Society, an NGO which works for the vulnerable group of tribals in Nilgiris advised the Coimbatore district administration to rope in NGOs to cut down the challenges arising in trying to immunise tribals.
The advice was meted out in the wake of the recent incident in Sadivayal hamlet in Coimbatore where a group of tribals climbed trees to avoid vaccination.
While the health official’s impressive strides in immunising vulnerable communities at Saivayal hamlet has resulted in vaccine hesitancy, tribal rights activists and social workers have called out for a more vigorous campaign and adaptability. Gokul, a social worker from NWTWS opined that officials and district administration ought to form a committee and adapt them into the process just like the other section of people to gain their trust. “Though they are different from others, they too are humans. We must accept and adapt them to earn their trust in us, for only then it is possible for officials to vaccinate them," he added.
Vigorous campaigns and awareness are fine, but the district administration must call on NGOs that work for tribals to understand their situation, which is the only possible way that helps the officials in vaccinating them, the social worker felt. “Anybody can create awareness and go on campaigns through ASHA workers and others, but to reach the tribes, one need to understand their language and needs. Only NGOs that work for their welfare can help in this regard. So it would be easy if the district administration forms NGO’s to reach them and vaccinate” he added.
Of the 427 tribal hamlets in the hills, 82 percent of the tribal population were found eligible for the jab against Covid. However, all the eligible persons are now inoculated. While this is seen as a huge success with the help of NGOs and as per the orders of the District Collector Innocent Divya, the incident of men climbing trees in Sadivayal hamlet in Coimbatore district showed the lack of arrangements and sensitivity by the team of health officials which caused vaccine hesitancy among them.
It is reported that there were no proper arrangements made to communicate with the tribals. Dr. Lalitha Regi, founder of Tribal Health Initiative working to improve the lives of the tribal communities living in the Sittilingi valley and surrounding hills through a variety of programmes in health care, community health, farming and craft work said, "The rest of the section of people have failed to adapt them as one. She alleged that the Government officials blamed them for the vaccine hesitancy but refused to adapt them and keep creating awareness. There should be regular touch and talks with them.
The officials should take efforts to be in touch with them at all times and not only when it is needed. Being in touch with them and adapting to them helps to overcome any obstacles when it comes to them,” added Dr. Lalitha. She also highlighted the death of actor comedian Vivek to be one of the reasons why they refuse to get their shots. However, she also noted that it would have been easier for the officials now had the tribals been given instructions and awareness created like other general public.
Sources within the Health Department say that the Tamil Nadu Government is likely to form a team of NGOs to inoculate the tribals in the district. Kerala has successfully vaccinated the majority of tribals in its state by reaching out to them through Radio, awareness campaigns and through ASHA workers.
The advice was meted out in the wake of the recent incident in Sadivayal hamlet in Coimbatore where a group of tribals climbed trees to avoid vaccination.
While the health official’s impressive strides in immunising vulnerable communities at Saivayal hamlet has resulted in vaccine hesitancy, tribal rights activists and social workers have called out for a more vigorous campaign and adaptability. Gokul, a social worker from NWTWS opined that officials and district administration ought to form a committee and adapt them into the process just like the other section of people to gain their trust. “Though they are different from others, they too are humans. We must accept and adapt them to earn their trust in us, for only then it is possible for officials to vaccinate them," he added.
Vigorous campaigns and awareness are fine, but the district administration must call on NGOs that work for tribals to understand their situation, which is the only possible way that helps the officials in vaccinating them, the social worker felt. “Anybody can create awareness and go on campaigns through ASHA workers and others, but to reach the tribes, one need to understand their language and needs. Only NGOs that work for their welfare can help in this regard. So it would be easy if the district administration forms NGO’s to reach them and vaccinate” he added.
Of the 427 tribal hamlets in the hills, 82 percent of the tribal population were found eligible for the jab against Covid. However, all the eligible persons are now inoculated. While this is seen as a huge success with the help of NGOs and as per the orders of the District Collector Innocent Divya, the incident of men climbing trees in Sadivayal hamlet in Coimbatore district showed the lack of arrangements and sensitivity by the team of health officials which caused vaccine hesitancy among them.
It is reported that there were no proper arrangements made to communicate with the tribals. Dr. Lalitha Regi, founder of Tribal Health Initiative working to improve the lives of the tribal communities living in the Sittilingi valley and surrounding hills through a variety of programmes in health care, community health, farming and craft work said, "The rest of the section of people have failed to adapt them as one. She alleged that the Government officials blamed them for the vaccine hesitancy but refused to adapt them and keep creating awareness. There should be regular touch and talks with them.
The officials should take efforts to be in touch with them at all times and not only when it is needed. Being in touch with them and adapting to them helps to overcome any obstacles when it comes to them,” added Dr. Lalitha. She also highlighted the death of actor comedian Vivek to be one of the reasons why they refuse to get their shots. However, she also noted that it would have been easier for the officials now had the tribals been given instructions and awareness created like other general public.
Sources within the Health Department say that the Tamil Nadu Government is likely to form a team of NGOs to inoculate the tribals in the district. Kerala has successfully vaccinated the majority of tribals in its state by reaching out to them through Radio, awareness campaigns and through ASHA workers.