Thread by @prashanthns

#COVIDSecondWave care requires local #CommunityEngagement for it to be meaningful, respectful and dignified; at one of #chamarajanagar #solega #adivasi settlements yesterday was a humbling experience learning together with the people how to organise care in a culturally safe way

A remote forest settlement; sudden spurt of cases; testing hesitancy and immediate referral to far away #covidcare centres driving anxiety for testing and failing trust in ASHAs; #Panchayat president on location, NGOs, health workers, tribal welfare officers on site

Hours of respectful dialogue follows; various modalities discussed; an amazingly enthusiastic #Panchayat president convenes impromptu consultation at local tribal residential school; CEO and Zilla panchayat admin patiently listen to local proposals

President and leadership of the #Solega #Adivasi #Sangha invited to ensure a feeling of safety for people negotiating for COVID care closer to their homes; negotiations are also about power and feeling safe

Finally with the consent of Zilla Panchayat CEO, tribal welfare officials, the Solega Sangha proposes a local building where they will feel closer and safer as COVID isolation centre, the first sich for #Adivasi communities in the district

We are thrilled, Sangha is happy that their proposals accepted and their voice heard but This will not be without challenges, dt admin reminds us; ZP apparatus incl PDO appear ready for challenge, ASHA too agrees; ownership by Sangha is crucial for cultural safety

And so this organic, participatory community based culturally safe isolation for #Solega begins in a non-descript hamlet in Hanur #chamarajanagar today; hopefully a step towards respectful, culturally safe care; thanks to @CEO_chanagar and others involved @gokRDPR @readingkafka

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