With the unpredicted spread of Covid-19 second wave in a lightning speed, the role of frontline worriers/workers at the community level gets multiplied. Observing the aggrieved situation, the Government of Odisha has declared special incentives mentioning that “As ASHAs monitor home isolation cases, they will be provided one time assistance of ₹10,000 for bicycle, cupboard, slippers, umbrella and torch. Sarpanches continue to have the powers of district collectors in enforcing lockdown. Also, ₹10,000 per GKS (Gaon Kalyan Samiti) will be sanctioned for undertaking COVID related activities at village level involving the community”.

However, the ground reality says, ASHAs are serving the community without proper protective equipment along with pulse Oximeter and infrared forehead thermometer with a hope to receive the declared incentive sooner or later. Here the point is, how can ASHAs & AWWs will do door to door survey, without adequate protective preparedness? Besides, ASHAs and AWWs also need volunteers’ support for driving awareness campaign, mobilising tribals for RTPCR test & taking vaccination and monitoring of home quarantines.

To address the above issues, CYSD has joined hands with Kolnara Block administration including CHC/PHCs. After intensive discussions, it was concluded that the AWWs, ASHAs, ANMs along with Volunteers must have N95 face masks, hand Gloves, sanitizer, and soap in adequate quantity to carry out the above activities. Additionally, each frontline worker should have one Oximeter and one infrared forehead thermometer to deal with the situation.

Accordingly, CYSD as part of its obligation towards the  community,   provided hygiene kit (N-95 Mask-1, Surgical Mask-10, Face Shield-1, Hand Glove -2, Sanitizer 100 ML-1, Soap-4) along with Oximeter-1, infrared forehead thermometer-1 to all AW workers, ASHAs, & ANMs of two GPs – Suri & Dunduli, mainly dwelled by Kuvi Kandha tribe in Kolnara block of Rayagada district. Apart from that, a technical orientation was provided to all frontline health workers on the use of oximeter & infrared forehead thermometer in respective Panchayat office premises.

Mamata Himirika, an ASHA worker of Patraput village in Dunduli GP says, “I belong to Kuvi Kandha tribal community, but my community is still having superstition to take the vaccine to fight against COVID-19. Many thanks to CYSD for providing me shield support, like hygiene kit, health equipment and volunteers to help protect my community at this critical hour”.

Abhi Himirika, the Sarapanch of Dunduli GP says, “I have been given collector’s power by the state Government, but in reality, the social mobilisation role played by CYSD is noteworthy. They are motivating people to get vaccinated as the preventive measure as well as providing timely needed support to my people in the Gram Panchayat. Now I am confident that each and every one in my Gram Panchayat is safe and secured”.