Assam to launch 'Jono Jagoron', ramp up voluntary testing from September 28 to 30

GUWAHATI: What could be termed as the most ambitious and massive anti-COVID drive ever since the virus made its outbreak in the State, the Health department is all set to kickstart a mass awareness campaign designed as 'Jono Jagoron' from Wednesday. Under 'Jono Jagoron', major thrust will be given on ramping up voluntary 'Testing' and adhering to COVID safety protocols (as suggested) at home. The State Health department is planning to carry out more than 2 lakh tests in three phases from September 28 to 30.

The vulnerable group of population (elderly, persons with comorbidity issues, and children of less than 10 years of age) will be the special focus in this awareness campaign. Different channels of reaching out to the last household of the community (NGO, Orunodoi Sayahok, Sayahika, Self Help Groups members, Villager Health Sanitation & Nutrition Committee, Mahila Arogya Samiti members) other than the village-level Healthcare providers (Auxiliary Nursing & Midwifery, Multipurpose Workers, Accredited Social Health activist, Surveillance worker) will be optimally taken so that concerted effort can be put in place for generating mass awareness.

It is expected that the planned mass-awareness campaign will result in a sharp increase in voluntary testing followed by the public adhering to COVID appropriate behaviour at home, work place, market place and at different social institutions. During testing, anyone found positive will be traced by another testing of 10 persons (family members and very close persons of the family) and another 10 persons from his/her work place or as identified by him/her. Thus, 20 persons will be traced, tested and treated, as per need.

Dr. Lakshmanan S, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Assam while speaking on the rationale of the campaign and explained how this proposed campaign will help in combating COVID-19 in Assam. He further stressed that COVID-appropriate behaviour by the citizens can be ensured by generating mass awareness and when they behave in a sensible manner. He assured all support to the districts to make the campaign successful.

While addressing the district officers through zoom on Tuesday, Anurag Goel, Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, requested everyone to work as a team and to innovate district-specific ways to reach out to the last household of the community. "It might be necessary for certain areas of the district to be visited in the evening, as people of that area can be met only at that time. Thrust must be given on voluntary testing. Maximum testing will help us in getting more positive cases and followed by treatment," he added.

Director of Health Services, Assam, Dr. Rathindra Bhuiyan said that focus should be given to generate awareness on adherence to proper norms of home isolation. He added that as soon as the situation at home shows any deterioration then immediately the person should be brought at hospital without wasting time.

Executive Director of NHM Dr. Manoj Choudhury explained as to how a family becomes helpless once the bread-earner gets infected of COVID-19 and succumbs to tjhe infection. "So, each one of us need to be alert about the COVID-19 signs and symptoms so as to take timely steps (as suggested) to avert any such unexpected situations in the families. Everyone should join hands to make this mass-awareness campaign successful and to facilitate in beating COVID-19," said Dr Choudhury.

NHM OSD Pomi Baruah said that ramping up of testing and adherence to strict COVID protocols by the people at home, work place, market, and at other social institutions are expected to be the output of this campaign.

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