ODISHA TRIBALS FINALLY AGREE TO UNDERGO COVID-19 TESTS

The Dongoria Bondh tribals living in Niyamgiri hills in Odisha’s Rayagada district have finally agreed to undergo Covid-19 test.

Initially, members of this tribal group who normally live on the hilltops of Niyamgiri stretching nearly 60 km, and come down the hills on a very few occasions to buy their essentials were reluctant for swab tests due to their unique lifestyle in the lap of nature and inadequate exposure to modern medicines and healthcare systems.

The development came following persistent efforts of five days by the Rayagada district administration to spread awareness about the Covid-19 pandemic among the Dongarias.

The Dongaria Kondhs belong to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).

“After persistent persuasion by the Rayagada district administration, two testing camps were organised on Friday in two panchayats of Kalyansinghpur block and swab samples were collected from the tribal people. We were able to convince the Dongria Kondhs by engaging them in discussion with the support of local community leaders,” said Rayagada sub-collector Pratap Chandra Pradhan.

The sub-collector informed that Anganwadi workers would do regular thermal screening of the people suffering from cough, cold and fever in the area.

“We are hopeful that people of the area will continue to cooperate with us from now onwards,” he said.

Earlier, the tribals had refused to undergo

Covid-19 tests citing that nothing would happen to them as they are protected by their deity Niyam Raja (King of Niyamgiri Hills).

“We don’t know anything about Covid-19. Nothing will happen to us as we worship our deity Niyam Raja. He protects us,” Niyamgiri Surakhya Manch president Sakaka Ulaka had said justifying the reason behind their hesitation to the test.

Sakaka was made aware of the pandemic by the district administration and he in turn played a crucial role in convincing his fellowmen to for Covid tests.

The local administration also initiated awareness drives for the Dongarias about Covidappropriate behaviour.

According to sources, a total of 19 Dongaria Kondhs have got Covid19 infected.

● THE DEVELOPMENT came following persistent efforts of five days by the Rayagada district administration to spread awareness about the raging Coronavirus pandemic among the Dongarias.