RANCHI: After state health minister Banna Gupta’s directive, the state health department has decided to launched a special vaccination drive to inoculate over 22,000 Tana Bhagats, who are spread over Ranchi and Lohardaga district.
In a letter on Thursday, Gupta had directed the additional chief secretary (health) Arun Kumar Singh to make special arrangements to vaccinate the followers of Mahatma Gandhi at the earliest.
He had also made an announcement in this regard while paying obeisance to tribal icon, Birsa Munda, on his death anniversary on Wednesday.
Talking to TOI, Gupta said, “The community of Tana Bhagats are of immense importance to our society as they are like living heritage for our state and our government is committed towards their well-being.
It is also good news for all of us that not a single member from the community has been infected from Covid-19 so far and it is the result of their lifestyle.
To keep them in the best of health, I have directed the officials to start a special vaccination drive for the community.” In his letter, the minister also directed the authorities concerned that Tana Bhagats should not face any difficulty during the special drive and ensure that the sessions sites should be set up near their houses.
“We have mobile vaccination vans across the state and these vehicles will also assist in inoculating the Tana Baghats at their doorsteps,” he added.
Reacting to Gupta’s order, the health secretary said, “We will start vaccination of the Tana Bhagats soon and apart from identifying and establishing suitable session sites, our Covid vaccination mobile teams will also be deployed to inoculate the community.” According to the state government records, there are 3,600 households of the community with a total population of over 22,000 are mainly residents of Ranchi and Lohardaga districts.