VALPOI
There has been a poor response to the second phase of the ongoing Tika Utsav vaccination drive in Sattari so far, in comparison to the first phase of the vaccination drive in April.
Poor transportation and internet network problems are among the reasons cited for the poor turnout.
According to sources, the second Tika Utsav vaccination drive had been launched with a view to accelerate the vaccination campaign in the State. The campaign is being organised in all 12 panchayat areas and one municipality in Sattari taluka.
“However, the response to the second Tika Utsav vaccination drive has been below expectation and lower in comparison to the first drive. For example, the number of people vaccinated during the second phase of the Tika Utsav drive were Keri (128), Narargao (135) and Mauxi (69).”
“In comparison, the number of persons who were vaccinated during the first phase of the Tika Utsav drive were Keri (440), Nagargao (307) and Mauxi (138).”
There have been two main reasons cited for the poor response to the second Tika Utsav vaccination drive: poor transport facilities and poor internet coverage.
“One vaccination centre has been set up for each panchayat but many have complained about poor transport facilities to proceed to and from these vaccination centres.”
“Some villages are located as far as 10 kms from the designated centre in the panchayat. In the absence of transport facilities to take people to the vaccination centres, fewer people are turning up at these centres,” the source added.
“Another main problem is the poor internet network in and around the vaccination centre. As a result, staff at the centre face a lot of problems in registering the names of beneficiaries. This has forced the staff to travel to Valpoi and completed the registration process.”
“There have been demands to set up vaccination centres in those areas which have netter internet connectivity,” the source added.
Commenting on the poor response to the second phase of the Tika Utsav vaccination drive in Keri, Sarpanch Daud Sayyad said no transport available for the people to and from the vaccination centre.
“Also, the team which was deployed for the vaccination arrived late and many people who were present for the vaccination had to return home without getting their vaccine,” said Sayyad.
