
Gangtok, January 16(IPR): The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri. Narendra Modi launched the pan-India rollout of COVID-19 vaccination drive via video conferencing from New Delhi, today. The launching of the Nationwide vaccination programme was attended by the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri. Prem Singh Tamang from the Vaccination room set up at Ayush hospital, STNM, Gangtok. He was accompanied by Hon’ble Minister for Health Department Dr. M. K. Sharma, Principal Secretary Health Department Shri K. Shrinivasulu, DG cum Secretary Health Dr. Pempa T. Bhutia, Secretary to HCM Shri. S. D. Dhakal, M.S. STNM Hospital, Dr. K.B. Guung, DC East Shri. Ragul K., Senior officials, Doctors and staff from STNM hospital.
The vaccination programme is being done using Co-WIN, app which will facilitate online entry of the beneficiaries, individualized tracking of beneficiaries and real time updates for COVID-19 vaccine. This digital platform will assist programme managers across all levels while conducting vaccination sessions.
After the inauguration, the Prime Minister in his address to the country congratulated the entire nation for the inauguration of the largest vaccination programme in the world where almost 3 crore beneficiaries in the first phase would be vaccinated which would comprise of healthcare officials of both government and private health care system. The Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude towards the vaccination researchers and their unhindered dedication towards making it available to the public in a short time. He thanked the healthcare officials, the frontline workers, essential service staff for keeping the country safe from such a deadly pandemic.
He also remembered the sacrifices of the healthcare professionals who sacrificed their lives while serving the country during the pandemic. He also mentioned that the first beneficiaries would be the healthcare professionals as a mark of respect for their contributions towards the country.
The Prime Minister also appealed the public to not to believe the rumours but have faith in the healthcare facilities available in the country.
The Prime Minister also reminded people of the country that two doses of the Corona vaccine are very important. Experts have said that there should be a gap of a minimum of 28 days between both vaccinations. He also informed that the vaccination programme would continue in a phase wise manner where all would be incorporated in it.
After the launching programme, the Chief Minister formally inaugurated the vaccination drive in the State from the vaccination room being set up in Ayush Hospital, STNM Gangtok.
Later, in his brief interaction with the media, the Chief Minister urged the people of Sikkim not to believe in rumours and fake news but also requested the people to support the state through their positive response to the vaccination programme. He also informed that the State of Sikkim would follow similar phasewise distributions of the vaccine as the Central bodies are following.
Director Clinical and HOD Medicine, STNM Hospital and Nodal Officer Centre of Clinical Excellence, COVID19 Incharge Model Treatment Center Dr. Suresh Madan Rasaily was administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, followed by other Health care workers and professionals. An observation room has also been set up wherein the vaccinated people will be kept for half an hour for observation.
As per the information received from the Health Department, a total of 100 people would be vaccinated on the first day. For the inaugural day, two session sites were identified in the State namely, Ayush Hospital, STNM, Gangtok in East Sikkim and Gyalshing District Hospital in West Sikkim.