Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Member of Parliament from Anantnag Hasnain Masoodi on Wednesday rued the lack of awareness in rural areas of south Kashmir and asked the incumbent administration to go for mass awareness campaign to stem out Covid vaccine hesitancy.
Party’s Member of Parliament who visited the SDH Dooru, and Verinag; PHC Kilam, and Vessu and other adjoining areas to assess the Covid mechanism and availability of necessary facilities to people said the availability of vaccines and testing kits is not an issue in these forlorn hamlets as adequate quantity of vaccines are available at all the government designated Covid Care centers instead it is the lack of awareness among the rural folks which is impacting the vaccination rate.
Besides the lack of awareness among the digitally dark people, Masoodi said it is the range of misconceptions circulating about the side effects, which is affecting the inoculation rates in certain pockets. On that account, he impressed upon the incumbent JK government to carry out mass awareness campaigns particularly in far-flung areas to snap out of ignorance, hesitancy and misconceptions.
Drawing the attention of the incumbent JK Government towards the shortage of medics and Paramedics plaguing the fight against the Covid-19 in rural hinterland and upper reaches of south Kashmir, Masoodi said dearth of human resource to run the facilities is severely affecting the government’s response to Covid. During his visit, the visiting MP interacted with the civil society groups, individuals, patients and concerned frontline staff at the health facilities. Appreciating their efforts, he prayed for their wellbeing and safety.

KR Desk