Childfund-HSBC vaccination drive for fisher-folk in South Mumbai

Team L&M

In association with HSBC India, the ChildFund India has launched a Covid19 vaccination drive for fisherfolk and people from vulnerable communities in South Mumbai. The drive, supported by the Municipal Corporation Greater Mumbai, and being held in collaboration with Surana Hospital, Mumbai began on October 4 and will remain on till October 13.

Aloka Majumdar, Head of Corporate Sustainability, HSBC India, Colaba MLA Rahul Narwekar
and Neelam Makhijani, Country Director, ChildFund in India at the launch of vaccination drive

Over 10,000 fisherfolk and people from vulnerable communities in South Mumbai will receive the two doses of the Covishield vaccine as per government directives and protocols, free of cost during the ongoing drive. These are the marginalised people who have not been able to access the vaccine due shortage in supply as well as vaccine hesitancy.

“Through this initiative, we are proactively contributing to the nation’s goal of complete vaccine coverage so as to keep people safe, secure and sustained. Since the last 18 months, ChildFund India has been working in semi-urban and rural areas to handle the impact of the pandemic. We have been able to provide medical equipment to 100 PHCs and CHCs, set up child-friendly Covid-care centres, provided food, hygiene and educational kits to families,  and also worked towards providing livelihood opportunities,” says Neelam Makhijani, Country Director, ChildFund in India.

Sharing her view, Aloka Majumdar, Head of Corporate Sustainability, HSBC India adds, “The impact of the Covid19 pandemic has been widespread. During these tough times, the marginalised communities in Mumbai have been particularly vulnerable and also lacked the access to adequate health care. That’s the reason we partnered with ChildFund India for a vaccination drive. Vaccination has emerged as an effective measure to check the spread of the pandemic.”

India has 7,200 km of coastline and four-five crore fisher-folk making their living from the sea. Given these numbers, it is easy to see how such a pandemic would have far-reaching implications. Vaccination support to the community was imperative and our efforts have been directed towards the same.