The department with the help of an NGO distributed one litre mustard cooking oil per Covid dose. In a single day, 15,000 litre of cooking oil was distributed. Now, the state government is formulating a scheme for giving fiscal benefits to panchayat samitis and other bodies that can help boost vaccination.
“Some districts have taken incentive initiative to boost Covid-19 vaccination. At the state level, we are also formulating an incentive scheme to boost Covid-19 vaccination. Bodies such as panchayat samitis that help in scaling up vaccination will get fiscal benefits or incentives. We are working on the scheme and will soon launch it in the entire state,” Vaibhav Galriya, secretary (health), told TOI.
The government has set a target of vaccinating people with first and second dose till January 31. Collectors have been directed to plan at their level for the purpose.
In the state, there are at least 87 lakh people who had received the first dose but have not turned up for the second dose. The health department is now going door-to-door to vaccinate them.
In Jodhpur, the health department with the help of a local NGO distributed cooking oil to encourage vaccination. “We organized a mega camp for Covid-19 vaccination on December 10 in Shergarh block as the vaccination coverage in the block was not encouraging. With the help of NGO Youth Unstoppable, 15,000 litres of oil was distributed, one litre oil per dose. It proved successful and 15,000 doses were administered in a single day,” said Dr Balwant Manda, chief medical health officer (Jodhpur).
It is not for the first time the incentives are being given in healthcare sector.
Some years ago in Pali and Jhunjhunu districts, incentive schemes were launched for encouraging couples to opt for sterilization and a car was also given at that time to the winner.
In Mukhbir Yojna for preventing female foeticide, the government is providing sops to informers for giving information on people involved in sex selection, while in Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojna, the department is giving Rs 500 to healthcare workers or NGOs for helping five families in registration under the scheme.
