Katni (Madhya Pradesh): A 200-bed Covid-19 care centre called Divyanchal in 48 hours and 100 per cent inoculated village – Katni Collector Priyank Mishra has not only shown the way to the harried people with help and hope, but has also proved the fact that where there is a will, there is a way, writes Rajeev Ranjan Roy of Bureaucrats India.
 
If Priyank ensured the healthcare facility is well equipped with oxygen cylinders and concentrators, six doctors and 30 nurses to take care of Covid-19 patients, his power of persuasion and sustained awareness drive have helped Katni District administration in Madhya Pradesh achieve a rare feat on vaccination. The residents of Bamhauri village voluntarily opted for Covid-19 vaccination, sending out a strong message to others that they should also come forward and join India’s fight against the coronavirus.

The District Administration has been able to achieve the rare milestone – vaccinating all those who are 45 plus in the village for Covid-19, which Priyank attributes to the collective efforts of all stakeholders. “There was a spontaneous flow of support from all stakeholders. It took us to convince Bamhauri residents to come forth for vaccination. Initially, a few youths agreed as they got convinced vaccination was good for them,” Priyank told Bureaucrats India in an exclusive interview.
 
The Covid-19 health facility called Divyanchal was built in 48 hours. Equipped with 200 beds, oxygen cylinders and concentrators, Divyanchal proved a milestone in fight against the menace of Covid-19. Over 50 fully recovered Covid-19 patients have been discharged from the centre so far. “With the help of all stakeholders, civil society and NGOs, we have been able to firm up our battle against the coronavirus and we are fully prepared for any future challenge as well,” added Priyank.
          
Bamhauri, a small village in Katni district of Madhya Pradesh, had 102 people who were above 45. Except one, all have been vaccinated for Covid-19. The one person has been left out due to some health issues. Lal Bahadur Singh Sengar, a resident of Bamhouri, said that the people of his village have been very receptive to the idea of vaccination from the very beginning.
 
With concerted efforts from the village youths and the District Administration, Bamhauri has set an example in the entire State at a time when people in rural areas are not coming forth for vaccination, added Sengar, who also works as an employment assistant.
 
The District Administration is working as a team to check Covid-19 menace. A number of innovative initiatives like ‘Roko Toko’ campaign were undertaken to convince the people to wear masks, avoid crowded places, and maintain social distancing, regular use of sanitizers and proper hand washing so that the spread of coronavirus is curtailed. /BI/