For more than a year, Covid-19 has posed a serious threat to humanity. Many people have suffered from the pandemic worldwide, and Nepal is not apart from this catastrophe. Precautions and the vaccine seem the only possible ways to overcome the existing problem, but recent data shows only 11.8% of Nepalese are fully vaccinated.
Many Nepalese are still out of reach of the vaccine as people in developed countries seem to have started their normal lives. Vaccination and self-precaution seem to be the only way to stay safe from the ongoing pandemic, and vaccination certification has been an important aspect of international travel. Due to various reasons, Nepalese were not able to get the vaccine, however international communities have shown their solidarity to provide the vaccine to Nepal and the government of Nepal is also committed to vaccinating its citizens.
During the first and second phases of the immunization process, lack of data and proper management system has caused the serious haphazard and mismanagement of the vaccination. Realizing this and to avoid further mismanagement, UNDP has started its pilot project on the Vaccine Registration Digitization System in 7 provinces of Nepal, including Biratnagar with the intention to ensure that “No one is left behind from accessing the COVID-19 vaccination”. UNDP has asked Bikalpa to mobilize the volunteers and lead the awareness campaign in Biratnagar. After having an agreement, Bikalpa called for volunteers through social media and received 85 applications, out of which 40 volunteers were selected for 19 local ward units (2 volunteers each in each ward).
On 11th August from 2:30 pm onward, an orientation program for the volunteers of 19 wards in Biratnagar was organized, which was followed by tea and snacks at the premises of Hotel Shree Krishna Biratnagar. The objective of the program was to orient the selected volunteers on the process of digital vaccine registration.
Bishal Rai, the coordinator of the online vaccine registration campaign, started the orientation program by setting the context and welcoming the guest and volunteers, followed by the introduction. Objective sharing was made by Dhan Badhur Chand, Regional Field Coordinator of UNDP, Field Office Janakpur, who also shared about the registration progress made in each piloting area and its updated results.
Anil Thapa, National Chief of Information Management Unit for COVID-19, shared the relevance of digital vaccine registration and the role of young people during the campaign. He also shared the number of targets that volunteers should meet and motivates them to achieve using different modalities.
Abhay Shrestha, IT officer of the World Health Organization, did a presentation on the technicality of the online vaccination registration of Nepal government. He taught volunteers how to enter the data on the online registration form, and also clarified the queries of the volunteers related to the vaccine and online registration.
Bishal Rai facilitated participants for group exercise. Volunteers were asked to do social mapping of their wards as well as to make a field outreach strategy and share within. Mr. Rai explained about reporting format and required document.
Basanta Adhikari, Director of Bikalpa, delivered the speech to inspire the volunteers. He shared why it is important for young people to get involved in volunteer activities and how it will benefit them in shaping their personalities and building their confidence. All the volunteers actively participated during the program and showed their commitment to making the campaign successful.
At last, for the pandemic safety measurement face shield, sanitizer, and a packet of masks were provided to all the volunteers along with reporting documents and advanced local travel grant. 51 participants attended the program including volunteers, resource persons and the guests from different organizations. The program ended around 6:45 pm with the group photograph.
