Dimapur, Oct. 16 (EMN): Resource speakers from medical fraternity, government sector and academicians unanimously opined that information communication and awareness is vital for tackling the Covid-19 situation.
The resource speakers stated this during a webinar organised by the Press Information Bureau, Guwahati, on October 16 on the theme ‘Covid-19 appropriate behaviour awareness for youth of Northeast’. They deliberated on the potential ways to tackle the Covid situation from medical and policy perspective.
Dr. Rakesh Garg, anaesthesiology of pain and palliative department from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, emphasised on Covid precautionary measures to tackle the infection by maintaining personal hygiene, strictly following the guidelines issued by the health authorities such as staying at home, maintaining adequate social distancing at the public places, conforming to government orders and guidelines and avoiding rumours.
Garg urged the student community to be catalysts and ambassadors of awareness as they could play a pivotal role in communicating to their friends in schools and colleges. He asserted that information communication and awareness is vital for tackling the Covid situation.
The doctor further urged the parents to talk to their children about their fears and help them to tackle the issues with a constructive behaviour and attitude.
Another speaker, DK Kamra, regional executive director of Airport Authority of India (AAI), New Delhi, stated that airports are playing a vital role in awareness among passengers about Covid. He stated that communication and Covid-19 awareness, among infrastructure and tertiary sector, is pivotal to ensure that the message and awareness about Covid has its desired result. He also stated that posters at various places of airport have an add-on effect on communication and information dissemination.
Mentioning the central government’s initiatives on ‘Poshan Abhiyaan,’ Dr. Lopamudra Datta, principal of Guru Nanak Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Kolkata, stated that for proper nutrition — iron deficiency among new born — should form the vital aspect of information, education and communication (IEC) messages and disseminated by media and nutrition agencies. Emphasising on leafy green vegetables and seasonal fruits, she stated that healthy disciplined routine in daily activities could help to tackle most of the Covid issues.
Nagendra Nath Tiwari, deputy technical adviser from Food and Nutrition Board, Eastern Region, Kolkata, termed the webinar and programme an apt occasion to create awareness about Covid, importance of nutrition, hygiene and Swachhata. He urged the participants to develop a plan of action for better hygiene, environmental sanitation and nutrition to be healthy and to tackle Covid situation.
Amita Gariya, senior journalist, stated that the health infrastructure and healthcare have become robust and proactive and added that private sector has to work in tandem with the public sector so that awareness and medication facilities are further strengthened to tackle the situation.
Sanyuk Banerjee, advocate of District Judges Court, Purbo; Bardhamaan and Abdur Rahman Mallick, advocate of Delhi High Court, stated that the emergent Covid situation provides fresh challenges and opportunities for youth.
Anumita Mallick, faculty of nutrition department from Belda College, Purbo, Medinipur, insisted that leading a disciplined life is the best way to address the issue.
The webinar was managed and co-ordinated by Samrat Bandyopadhyay, joint director of PIB, Guwahati, while Pallav Chakravorty, deputy director of PIB Guwahati, delivered the welcome address.
Students, eminent journalists and other senior government officials from Doordarshan Guwahati, Regional Outreach Bureau, Guwahati, All India Radio Guwahati also participated in the programme.
