Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala on Tuesday was among those honoured for tackling the Covid-19 pandemic when the United Nations celebrated the Public Service Day.
The function, held on a virtual platform, saw the participation of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and other top UN dignitaries who applauded all the leaders which included state Health Minister K.K. Shailaja for effectively tackling Covid-19.
The UN honoured public servants who are engaged on the fight against COVID-19 as part of this programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Shailaja noted that the experiences of tackling Nipah virus and the two floods - 2018 and 2019 - where the health sector played a crucial role, all helped in tackling Covid-19 timely.
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Shailaja was the lone speaker from the country to speak about the strategies adopted by the state.
"Right from the time when Covid cases got reported in Wuhan, Kerala got into the track of the WHO and followed every standard operating protocols and international norms and hence, we have been able to keep the contact spread rate to below 12.5 per cent and the mortality rate to 0.6 per cent," she said.
The selection of K K Shailaja in the UN programme is seen as a recognition for the model set by the state in the fight against COVID-19. The state had received widespread accolades in the international media for the containment of COVID-19 through its various programmes like break the chain and Kerala model. Also the home isolation and screening in Kerala is worth appreciation and an example for whole country.
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Kerala had introduced various measures Break the chain, and a Break the Chain cartoon campaign with ‘SMS’, slogan which stands for - wash hands using soap or sanitiser, wear masks and keep social distancing.
With Inputs from IANS.
