Jamtara (Jharkhand): The second wave of coronavirus is nothing less than a litmus test for Indian bureaucracy, which they are tackling not only with determination but are also coming out with flying colours by taking on Covid-19 head on. From visualization, planning to execution, Indian bureaucrats are setting one after another example of wholesome approach in their efforts to tame the coronavirus. A case in point is Jamatara Deputy Commissioner Faiz Aq Ahmed, who has adopted a holistic approach in dealing with Covid-19 crisis in his district.

From holding awareness camps to ensuring the people of the district do not face any problem, Faiz adopted a meticulously crafted strategy to deal with the situation arising out Covid-19 induced lockdown. In view of social and traditional dynamics of the area, he organized training programmes for traditional healers with regard to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. They were also trained in giving first aid to the needy.

According to a District Administration official, the idea behind training traditional healers was to motivate rural population to follow Covid-19 appropriate behavior and get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available. They would also have to inform the administration of suspected positive cases. “Given the reach and penetration of these healers, the fight against corona has become much easier,” said the official.

He said that about 500 informal and traditional medical professionals have been identified and are being trained to act as first responders for identifying suspected Covid-19 patients and also to preach the importance of vaccination. Not only this, the District Administration also organized an online session for the people in home isolation in which a doctor shared tips with them as to how to defeat Covid-19 while being at home. This exercise went down quite well with the people of Jamtara.

Since in many cases food was a major problem for those in home isolation, the District Administration roped in the local industry chamber to extend help. A community kitchen was set up by Jamtara Chamber of Commerce to provide two meals to the Covid-19 patients living in home isolation. Similarly, locals were also cajoled not to go to neighbouring towns of West Bengal for doing any kind of shopping as “these are very difficult times and you need to follow all Covid-19 guidelines for your own safety.” /BI/