Weekly Report 17 Sep.2021

Caritas India Second Wave Covid Response

Caritas Preparing

for the Third Wave

he latest data, as on 14th September 2021, shows provided a safe space for isolation to the asymptomatic the new cases of Coronavirus in India to be 27,176. patients or patients with mild as well as severe symptoms TIndia had been at less than 50K mark for 80 who sought medical assistance. In the rural areas and

consecutive days now. There has been a drastic reduction remote locations, in most of the cases, people visited the in the number of cases as compared to the situation in May, hospitals only when their health deteriorated to the worst. when the country saw more than 0.4 million fresh cases in a In such cases, it became necessary for the frontline workers single day. The decline in cases in recent weeks has to brace themselves and maximize the utilization of the prompted various states to begin loosening restrictions - a available resources. The patients admitted were given move that some observers say can potentially backfire. medical assistance by the medical team engaged, along Various Government officials, epidemiologists and other with the food support. health experts have pointed out that a third wave is inevitable. While experts say that vaccination is the way Currently, most of the Centers have closed down as the forward for India, the carefree attitude of people violating cases and number of patients have reduced in the country. the Covid Norms is worrisome. The country has currently During the second wave response, Caritas India has been vaccinated around 13% of the population. able to support 69 treatment centers partially with medical

equipment, medicines, and other requirements. These From the onset of the Second Wave, Caritas India had SLTCs and FLTCs have saved the lives of 1,44,118 been on its toes, constantly coming up with new initiatives patients with its timely and required treatment. based on the pressing need of the country and her people. It began with the setting up of the Second Level and First Some of these Centers were also supported in running the Level Treatment Centers (SLTCs and FLTCs) as there was mobile clinics and giving home-based care to those Covid-an indispensable need of health infrastructure in the affected patients who lived either in a very remote location country. The goal behind setting up these Treatment or were hesitant to come to the hospitals due to various Centers was to reach out to the larger population with myths and rumors regarding the Covid treatment 26,874 medical support and at the same time reducing the existing people were supported through such outreach initiatives.weight on the health institutions at that time. The Centers

I thought I would not survive. I am really happy to receive new life

after days of struggle and suffering and I thank all the doctors, nurses

and helpers.”

“I was very comfortable here. The day would begin with devotional songs followed by Yoga and a prayer. The medical staff would take my vitals daily, thrice a day. We were also given medicines on time. The food given was very nutritious. The team of doctors and nurses were very amiable and loving. The whole environment was very conducive to the recovery. As I go today

from this FLTC, I will always remember it as it has given me new life.”

Such had been the responses from the patients who received assistance from the Treatment Centers. Caritas India strongly believes that every day is a new learning and there is always a scope to do better than the previous day. To understand the achievements and gaps of the efforts being taken, every Treatment Center had been installed with a feedback box, wherein patients could drop in their feedback forms with an option of keeping their identity anonymous. These forms helped the Centers and Caritas India to know the areas of improvement. The appreciations and positive feedback also motivated the staff and volunteers to work with more passion and zeal.

The whole initiative was possible because of the efforts by the staff at the ground level along with the frontline health workers and volunteers. One of the health workers from Jharkhand, Ms. Archana Xalxo had shared “When my name was proposed to work in Covid ward, I was scared and hesitant. My family asked me not to work in the Covid ward. But I had to obey my seniors. With much fear and anxiety, I went for my duty. I gradually realized that the patients really needed my help, as they lied helpless, fighting for their life. I saw fear in their faces, and they were badly missing their beloved one's support and presence. It was hard to boost their and one's own morale. Looking at their improvement, I had a sense of satisfaction towards my work, and I am glad I got this opportunity.”

Even though most of the Centres have been closed, we are well-prepared for the next wave as health From the feedback received, 68% rated the overall infrastructure in many locations across the country have experience as 'Excellent'. None of them rated the overall been strengthened and supported with various medical experience below average, which surely is a booster for equipment such as 27 ventilators, 405 oxygen all the stakeholders involved in running and supporting concentrators, 250 oxygen cylinders etc. the centers. All of them have mentioned that the quality

and hygiene of the food and premises had been top notch, with no complaints.

Feedback & Testimonies from SLTCs & FLTCs

As of now, 12,91,120 people have been projected to be the villages, which are majorly used by the front liners supported with the items in the medical kits. Each such as the Volunteers, ASHA health workers, medical kit consisted of Oximeter, Vaporizer, Digital Anganwadi workers etc. who serve the community, Thermometer, Masks, Handwash and Sanitizer, along risking their lives. Villagers approach these frontline with brochure on 'How to Use an Oximeter'. In Kerala, workers for the items in the kits when in need. which is facing the highest number of Covid cases currently, medical kits have been distributed in 100 Ms. Rambati, one of the ASHA workers from a remote villages. Each village has been provided with 5 medical village in Jagdalpur, shared, 'Use of Oximeter helped me kits. The medical kits are used at the community level by to save lives of some of the people in my village. When the frontline volunteers as well as by the most needed people come to me with the complain of fever and families. The custodian for the medical kits in each breathing problem, I check their Oxygen level with the village have been identified. Orientation was given to the Oximeter. Some were found to be below normal and community volunteers on how to use the pulse-oximeter sent to the hospital. Timely investigation and testing of and digital thermometer. The kits were handed over to oxygen level prevented the further spread of the virus in the affected families in the village by the Village the families and saved lives.” Another frontline worker Volunteers, as and when there was a need. Other than from Nagpur, Mrs. Anita Narnavare, shared, “I faced so these, another 3250 kits were distributed in other villages much difficulties as during the second wave my areas was to the families. in red alert. I didn't have Oximeter or any other items

provided in the kits, except mask. This would help me to Similarly, in Chhattisgarh and other part of the country continue my field interventions”.as well Community Medical Kits have been provided to

Other Intervention AreasApart from strengthening the health infrastructure and reaching out to people with medical assistance and support, Caritas India also initiated other interventions such as reaching out to families and individuals with food kits, medical kits, authentic information and awareness around Covid-19 and Vaccination process.

Reaching Out with Medical Kits

Reaching Out with Food Kits

Food kits have also been distributed in various states. More than 2,26,820 food kits have been distributed across the country. All these distributions have been done maintaining the Covid protocol.

With the assistance of staff and resources at the ground level, families and individuals were identified which included migrants, slum dwellers, daily wage earners & most marginalized from slums and remote villages. These people had been prey to the effects of the Pandemic. Due to lockdown and closing of various business, their livelihood reached a danger zone. Many found it difficult to feed themselves and their families even once a day.

2,26,820 Food Kits

Distributed

Testimony from the Field:

He shared, “Everything was going on well but all of a sudden the invisible demon disrupted everything and left me distraught and helpless.

Due to lockdown, he had to close his shop for almost 3 to 4 months which affected him economically, mentally, and emotionally.

Being a differently abled, he could not go out for laborious work. He shared, “I lost hope and started cursing God for not taking care of my family. Right then, I was contacted by a Caritas Samaritan who enrolled me for Dry Ration Kit distribution. I was so

Brijraj Tandon, a 35-years old differently abled man, happy.”is a resident of a tribal village in Janjgir in Champa district of Chhattisgarh. He lives with his family The Food Kit gave him a breather for a month. He including his mother, wife and one child. His only and his family expressed their gratitude and thanked source of income is a petty tea shop which he runs in all the people involved in the initiative. the vicinity.

To contain the virus and create more awareness among vaccination and health centerspeople, especially the marginalized section of the society, l Registration for COVID vaccination and Caritas India initiated two initiatives – Information information about vaccination centersSharing Center (ISC) and Risk Communication and l Psychosocial support and Counselling Community Engagement (RCCE). l Follow up with village level frontline workers

[Anganwadi workers/ASHA/ANMs] on the usage Till now, 79 ISCs have been initiated across the country of medical kits and vaccination registration. in collaboration with Gram Panchayats, Block Administration and Health Department. These Centers RCCE is another initiative which has been started to are visited by people who seek information on fight the info-demic across the country. Through this vaccination and COVID preventive measures. ISCs have program, more than 7000 volunteers are engaged who been majorly engaged in the following activities: have started disseminating various audio-visual messages

and information via phone to the communities on l Mass awareness programs through miking Covid-19 and Vaccination. This is helping in mitigating l Giving information on COVID responsive the rumours, with the support of the frontline

behaviors through leaflets, handbills, and over the volunteers - Caritas Samaritans. The Caritas Samaritans phone are the torch bearers for communicating RCCE

l Home visits messages in all the families within their target l Organizing vaccination camps community. l Giving information over the phone related to

Fighting the Info-Demic

Caritas Samaritans: Serving with Joy

During the Covid Response, Caritas was definitely not the food and medical kits etc. ISCs are also alone. It had the support from all her partners, donors completely run by the volunteers. Through ISCs, they and of course the frontline runners – the Volunteers. have supported people with the registration for the Their dedication, commitment, and passion to serve vaccination, visited door to door for creating and reach out to the last mile is worthy of many awareness, organized vaccination camps, etc. praises. Right from setting ups the Treatment Centers, Sr. Anupama, one of the Caritas Samaritans from taking care of the patients with medical and food Chhattisgarh shared, “It is hard to move out among assistance, cleanliness, and maintenance of the people in this COVID time, but it gives pleasure to centers, documentation of the processes involved, serve the one who is in need. Many people lost their volunteers could be seen everywhere. lives due to ignorance, if right information was given

in the right time, many would have been among us Volunteers had been the main players in rolling out now. ISC initiative initiated by Caritas India is very the distribution initiative as they supported in essentially and need of the hour, I feel proud to be identifying the families, packaging and distribution of part of this initiative and ready to serve and save.”

Way Ahead

From a futuristic perspective, a strategic roadmap is people are vaccinated by organizing vaccination needed keeping the Third Wave in mind. As we slowly camps, supporting them with registration, come to the closure of the Second Wave Response, providing “Health Package” to the individuals Caritas India has charted out a plan, both for the who are still to recover from post-Covid Third Wave Preparedness and Recovery from the complications. Covid effects. Caritas India shall be focusing in three l Population Nutrition Health Approach – This main areas in the upcoming weeks, as a way ahead: initiative shall ensure that the families affected by

the Pandemic are ensured of food and nutrition. l Risk Communication and Community

Engagement – Continuing with the efforts, Surely, the Pandemic has opened a new world of Caritas India shall be engaging volunteers for challenges. Hence, it is vital that we respond to it disseminating authentic messages to people on effectively and collectively based on the need of the Covid and Vaccination. society.

l Vaccination Promotion and Support – Through this initiative, Caritas India shall be ensuring that

CBCI Centre, 1 Ashok Place, New Delhi 110001M: +91 9899877826; Tel: - 011-23363390/23742339;

Email: director@caritasindiarog; Web: www.caritasindia.org

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT