The Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from North Karimganj constituency, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Karimganj, Ambamuthan MP on Thursday, highlighting issues about COVID vaccination, that the MLA thinks, should be considered.
Purkayastha, in the memorandum, requested Karimganj DC to arrange "at-home vaccination" for eligible beneficiaries above 80 years of age. "During the elections, the senior citizens aged above 80 years were reached at their home by the authorities to collect votes, this should be done in case of COVID vaccination as well", said Purkayastha to 'The News Core'. He further added, "I have talked to the Director of Health Services (Family Welfare) in Assam, Mr. Munindra Nath Ngatey in this regard."
The MLA then urged the administration to start a vaccination camp at the 'Bipin Chandra Pal Smriti Bhawan' - the office of the "Barak Upatyaka Banga Sahitya o Sanskriti Sammelan", situated at Mission Road in Karimganj Town, for the leading senior citizens, aged above 45 years.
Purkayastha ensured his co-operation and support for the smooth running of the processes, proposed in the memorandum. According to him, the initiatives will help the senior citizens of Karimganj in avoiding long queues at the currently operational vaccination centres.
On being asked about the resources available with the poorer section of people for online registration of vaccination, the MLA replied, "India has a large section of poor people, who do not have access to smartphones and the required basic education for online registration of vaccines. Does it mean that they won't survive? Thus, I believe that vaccination drives should be conducted manually." He further added, "Today I have said to Mr. Ngatey to send sufficient vaccine doses. Covaxin, for the age group of 18-45 years, is not available in the district; moreover, the stocks of Covishield are running out quickly. Mass vaccination of people is what we demand."
When The News Core reached out to the Deputy Commissioner of Karimganj, he said, "there are no guidelines, which are in accordance with the demands of the MLA of North Karimganj constituency, Mr. Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha. However, I will write to the Government for approval, and on receiving the same, we will proceed."
