People hail Covid-19 Mobile Vaccination Drive in Jaffna, Express Gratitude to the Army

"They are guardians of peace, stability, progress and humanity,"

On the direction of Commander Security Forces (Jaffna) and District Coordinator of COVID-19 Control and Prevention in Jaffna, Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku RWP RSP ndu; troops of 4th battalion Sri Lanka Medical Corps in collaboration with the authorities of Jaffna Teaching Hospital launched a mobile vaccination drive in order to inoculate the elderly population above the age of 60, sick, handicapped and feeble sections in Jaffna peninsula.

The programme was inaugurated in front of the Jaffna teaching hospital at a simple ceremony. Speaking at the launching ceremony, Deputy Director of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital Dr S Sribhawan extended his profound thanks to the Security Forces Commander and the Army for this initiative and urged the public to make use of this opportunity. Many from the local society took to social media and other media to recognize the efforts of the troops and expressed the importance of protecting the elderly from COVID-19.

Local people who received vaccination at their doorstep praised the efforts of Commander Security Force Jaffna and Army Medical Corps for initiating this programme and commended the Army's role in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

The primary responsibility of Army Medical Corps is to preserve and maintain the health and fighting strength of the military. At the same time, through civil-military cooperation activities of this nature, the Army Medical service strengthens and facilitates civilian efforts in dealing with medical issues such as the corona virus pandemic.

With the outbreak of COVID-19, fighting the pandemic has become one of the Army's main priorities. Their role in coordinating national efforts within the society in Jaffna peninsula and their support to civilian efforts has become a fundamental contribution to managing the crisis.

This effort is even more significant as it will pave the way for an even closer coordination between the Army and the Jaffna society. Local officials and religious leaders have also voiced tremendous appreciation of the Army for working tirelessly to support the local people in all their needs to cement the already established peace and stability in the penninsula.

One civilian speaking after receiving her jab said "These heroes are sacrificing their time bringing hope to the people, we are proud of them."

"The army is working together with the people to stabilise the rapid spread of the disease in Jaffna and bring back normalcy and hope to the lives of the people". Said another.

Dr Umasugi Nadarajah MBBS, a respected Australian-based health professional who currently lives in Jaffna said "I really appreciate the decision to do home to home mobile vaccination programme. It's very convenient to the elderly people who may need to depend on someone to get to vaccination centres. This programme will also help prevent the infection rates as there won't be people standing in queues. It will also do a world of good for reconciliation between our communities as this is a friendly approach by the Army”.

Many Jaffna based print and electronic media too came to the fore in praising the Army for initiating this programme.

This Mobile vaccination service which is a brainchild of General Shavendra Silva, Head of National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army was initiated in Jaffna peninsula on the direction of Commander Security Force (Jaffna) Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku RWP RSP ndu.

The programme will be continued until the entire elderly population of the Jaffna peninsula is inoculated.