The Macro level planning and micro level system of Kerala is one of those reasons why Kerala is still able to control the pandemic. The Local Self Governments of Kerala has formed a strong network comprising of ward members, Accredited Social Health Activists or the ASHAs, and other volunteers. The Rapid Response team at each Panchayat or Municipality makes sure that the infected persons are tended to at each ward. The first point of contact in the RRT is the ASHA worker of the ward. The ASHAs give the necessary emotional and mental support to the infected person as much as 4-5 calls every day. The ASHAs advise the patients on the food they should follow to the various ways in which they need to boost up their morale. They also visit the patient, following sufficient COVID protocols, give directions to the family members and play the deliverywoman bringing them the necessary supplies even.
Meanwhile the ASHA workers also intervene with the various Residents Associations and households to reach out to the needy to speed up the vaccination process. A comprehensive ward level list is been prepared by these ASHA’s under the leadership of the Local Self Governments giving priority to the pending final doses to the 45+ category. These minute level networking and data collection by the ASHAs of the State helps in planning and managing the vaccination emergency requests with high priority.
Kudos to the ASHAs of Kerala for the right working style and keeping everyone alive and well.