Gram Vikas strengthens frontline health workers and volunteers through training and takes adequate measures to keep them safe while on COVID duty across Odisha. In Jagannath Prasad block of Ganjam district, we distributed PPE Kits to 43 health workers and community volunteers. Youth volunteers learned how to operate and record readings on Oximeters. They are now assisting the frontline health workers during the door-to-door COVID-19 surveillance in their villages. These volunteers also received the PPE kits.

Asanti Sahoo, an ASHA worker from Khetamundali village since 2006, says, “I am conducting door-to-door surveillance and care in my village, along with four youth volunteers. Earlier, when I visited the houses, people would think I would forcibly take them to the hospital if they were symptomatic. But now, they are more considerate and understand the infection better. Nearly 250 people above 44 years from Khetamundali village have already taken the first dose of the vaccine.”

In Jagannath Prasad block, 1087 residents above 44 years received their first dose of vaccine. The volunteers and frontline workers have screened 2215 persons from 84 villages in five Gram Panchayats  of the block.

Till date, Gram Vikas has trained 182 persons from 89 habitations across four districts in Odisha on COVID surveillance and management, boosting the community level healthforce to fight the pandemic.

Read about our work here: https://www.gramvikas.org/response-update/

Reporting by Basanti Devi, Chandrika Patnaik.