Information Department, Government of Gujarat, supported by Centre For Communication of Child Rights (CCCR), PDPU, UNICEF and Health & Family Department, Government of Gujarat, organized an online workshop on ‘Sensitization of Radio Professionals on Covid-19 and Covid-Appropriate Behaviour’ on December 23.
The webinar was attended by about 30 professionals, including 25 RJs and Programming Heads from across the FM channels and Community Radios in Gujarat.
Addressing the participants, Information Directorate Ashok Kalaria said: “With vaccine just around the corner, this workshop is a good initiative. RJs have a big role to play in this process as they wield great influence. Our health workers would be the first one to get the vaccine as they are the ones fighting the virus and keeping us safe.”
Dr Nayan Jani, State Immunisation Officer, said: “Covid vaccine will soon be launched and the guidelines for vaccination as well. Radio has reach to grassroots level and therefore they can play a significant role in communicating correct information about vaccine, its process and most importantly busting myths, wrong information and AEFI (Adverse Effect Following Immunization) around vaccination. I want to reiterate that the government is committed to bring scientifically-tested vaccine which is safe for all.”
Dr Sravan Kumar Chenji, Health Officer, UNICEF, explained the prioritization of groups for vaccination, FAQs and also shared about the sources of quick and authentic information like PIB and www.mohf.gov.in.
Simplifying the Covid vaccination process, Dr Chenji said: “Unlike Polio vaccine, we can’t go and get the vaccine. The frontline workers would register you first. Then, you would get the message about the date and place of vaccination. Upon showing your identity card, you would be given the vaccine. Remember, both doses of the vaccine should be of the same brand.”
Ms Moira Dawa, Communication, Advocacy and Partnership (CAP) Specialist, UNICEF provided the technical perspective on the need of the sensitization of Radio Professionals as the country is on the cusp of vaccine launch. Dr Pradeep Mallik, Lead, CCCR-PDPU, moderated the session.
RJ Pooja of Radio City Ahmedabad, RJ Aarti Patel of My FM, Ahmedabad, RJ Palak of Radio City, Surat, RJ Veer of Radio City, Surat, RJ Harsh of Radio Avaj, Dahod, Suniti Sharma of Rudi No Radio, SEWA, Krishnamurthi Kumar, Programming Head of Radio Mirchi, Vadodara, and Aniket Thaker, Programming Head of Radio Palanpur participated in the webinar and shared their experiences of good practices adopted as response to Covid-19.
