Gadchiroli inoculation of sr citizens, comorbid 50% of city’s 1-day count

NAGPUR: Only 6,615 senior citizens and comorbid were administered the vaccine in tribal-dominated Gadchiroli in three weeks. The number is 50% of those vaccinated in Nagpur district in a day.
As per the data of the state’s public health department, 5,053 persons from the 60-plus age group and 1,562 in the 45 and above category with specified comorbidities took the jab in Gadchiroli district between March 1 and 20.The district is now the lowest among the state’s 35 districts.
In Nagpur district, 1,61,531 from the age-appropriate group were vaccinated in the first three weeks. The daily vaccination of this group is over 13,000.
“Vaccination of people from the age-appropriate group was less in the district in the initial days due to less number of centres. Inoculation for this age group started at 14 centres at the district general hospital, sub-district hospital, rural hospitals and two private hospitals. There are only two private hospitals which are empaneled under the government’s scheme,” district civil surgeon of Gadchiroli Dr Sameer Rudey told TOI.
The number of beneficiaries is likely to increase. “Last week, we increased the number of centres to 61. We started vaccination at 47 public health centres (PHCs) which are located across the district. People from rural areas were not coming to the tehsil or district headquarters for vaccination. These PHCs are closer to all villages,” he said.
The state government did not allowed vaccination in PHCs without an indoor set-up in the first two weeks.
Another issue for Gadchiroli district is that vaccination will be done at PHCs only thrice a week — Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Regular immunization of children is conducted on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
Dr Rudey said there were no apprehensions among people from the district about the vaccine. “People from villages situated in far off places are walking nearly 12 kms and taking the vaccine. Anganwadi sevikas and ASHA workers are mobilizing eligible people for the inoculation. They are visiting houses and recording details of eligible candidates,” he said.
Gadchiroli is also facing problem of poor internet connectivity at PHCs. “We are also ensuring prior registration of eligible people after receiving data from ASHA and Anganwadi workers so that the issue of internet does not affect vaccination,” said Dr Rudey.
As per the state’s data, Covid-19 positive cases are only 9,634 in this district, making it the third lowest in the state after Hingoli (6,007) and Sindhudurg (6,911). Similarly, deaths are fewer, 106 on record.