March of this year brought about many changes in the lives of people and their work. Piramal Swasthya’s block team members have been actively engaged in COVID-19 preparedness to support the district efforts. While facility-level preparedness was being enhanced by the government, Piramal Foundation’s Block Transformation Officers (BTOs) got actively involved in community-level preparedness. Rohit, BTO in the Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh planned to spend March 31st on following-up on migrant workers on home quarantine, on return to their villages. That day Rohit started counselling Mr Singh of Mahua Kheda Gram Panchayat (GP) on handwashing, respiratory hygiene, social distancing; and discussing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and the reporting mechanism. Along with this, Rohit was also checking on any instance of stigma and discrimination that has come to Mr Singh’s notice in the GP that he resides in.
Although Mr Singh did not encounter many obstacles on his return from Indore, he was extremely worried about his family members and others in his and nearby villages, who had recently migrated from Indore. He shared that these people are perceived as potential carriers of the disease and are being labelled as ‘Corona’. The family of these migrant workers are being singled out, socially ostracised and harassed by villagers.
Hard situations nudge ordinary people to do extraordinary services. Rohit had been well-oriented on the role of Panchayat members by the organisation and on hearing this, he immediately contacted Sarpanch and Panchayat Secretary of Mahua Kheda GP. While talking to them and other Panchayat members, Rohit realised the fear of COVID-19 among them too. Rohit not only dispelled the myths and misconceptions in their mind but oriented them on ‘Stigma and Discrimination’ on context to COVID-19 and the role of Panchayat members in this.
The Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members visited Mr Singh’s house and assured the family of support and they also went to other families providing support and assurance during this time.
Around the world, community influencers have significantly contributed to sustainable development, promotion and protection of human rights, and conflict mitigation. Throughout India, community leaders are respected and trusted in their communities. Additionally, PRI leaders have a social standing that strategically places them in a position to influence behaviors of community at large. Piramal Swasthya started re-orienting the community influencers in April. Earlier these community influencers have played the role of advocates for maternal and child health practices; and are actively playing a key role in dispelling COVID-19 myths and misconceptions. Given the lockdown restrictions and physical distancing guidelines, telephonic and online sensitizations were identified as key ways to orient community leaders. The sensitisation of PRI members has been a continuous process and contact is maintained through telecalls and WhatsApp. Till date, 3500 PRI members in the state have been oriented across 5 Aspirational Districts of Madhya Pradesh.
Article by Ranjana Pandey
Change Communication Specialist | ADT Program -NITI Aayog, Piramal Foundation, Bhopal