National Health Authority chief RS Sharma on Friday refuted claims that the rural people are being sidelined in the COVID-19 vaccination drive and said that to ensure inclusivity the government has come up with the 1075 helpline number.
"To ensure that system is inclusive, we've opened a 1075 call center where one can call and book appointments. All common service centers partnering with us to register/book slots for vaccination in rural areas," said Sharma speaking to ANI.
Rural India is severely hit by the second wave of COVID-19, majority of villages lack infrastructure, internet technology, are not at par compared to their urban counterparts with fewer smartphones and it is an uphill battle for less techy-savvy villagers to register and use the Cowin app for vaccinations.
However, National Health Authority CEO and CoWIN chief agrees that there is a digital divide but he said that it is incorrect to say that villages are left out. He adds it's not urban elites alone who got over 20 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
In an interview with ANI, RS Sharma said that primary health centers, district collectors and officers have been briefed a number of times and they are actually creating awareness among the rural population.
"They are assisting them to get vaccinated, they are creating more awareness. It is not 20 crore people who have been vaccinated, all are not urban elites. Please understand that. You can see rural districts in India on our CoWIN websites. You can see each district-wise day-wise vaccination. To make an assessment that rural people are left out is not correct. We have the data, look at our portal, look at the vaccination centres and we don't collect the residential address of the person but obviously very remote areas we have seen have vaccinated 2000 people (and that) is a proof."
Sharma said that 57 percent of vaccinated people above the age of 45 got themselves registered at the vaccination facility and noted that India has large number of mobile and internet connections.
"Yes I agree there is a digital divide, there is an inequality. I agree with that and I am not denying that fact. It is wrong to assess that Indians are ill-equipped with technology. Secondly, we have developed an inclusive and accessible system, we have the provision of walk-in, 57 percent of vaccinated people above the age of 45 are walk-ins, four people can register on a mobile. You will accept there is one mobile phone in at least one family. You can also register through call centre, common service centers of villages are connected. Finish technology because it is not catering to 100 per cent is not a solution, the only solution is to simplify technology," he added.
He said 57 per cent vaccination walk-ins in the over 45 age category means they did not have appointment or made reservations.
Sharma said problem is being faced in 18-44 age group as vaccine supply is less but it is temporary.
"The very fact more than half the population in the age group of 45+ are walk-ins and are getting vaccinated, it is proof enough of inclusivity of the system. Obviously problem is occurring in 18- 45 age group because of the fact that supply of vaccine is low. Let me tell you this problem is also a temporary problem, this problem will go away let's have a little bit of a patience," he added.
He said with new policy announced now even third party can also help in the registration process adding that one can create an app and link it with CoWIN.
Sharma said third-party integration policy is available on CoWIN website and social media platforms and APIs have been made operable in the sense of third party application.
(With inputs from ANI)
