The first anniversary of the covid vaccination in Latehar has been a tumultuous exercise.
Latehar was given more than 8 lakh doses in this first year of the vaccination beginning January 16 2021 to January 16 2022, out of which it utilised little over 7 lakh doses, said one health official of Latehar district Ved Prakash. The first anniversary of the covid vaccination here in Latehar had similar bouts of hesitancy and reluctance towards the vaccination like many other districts.
Dr Arvind Kumar, medical officer in charge of the referral hospital Garu in Latehar district said there is a pocket of eligibles at Gotaag where eligibles used to leave their homes on sighting our vaccination team there.
It was a challenge to vaccinate them and we did it to a great extent, he said.
Another medical officer in charge of the community health centre Chandwa said his team was hit by an inebriated person leading to his one ANM falling into a roadside ditch at Kranti Jharna. Fear of elephants in Latu Kujrum areas continued to grip the ANMs here who left trudging the villages on foot and asked for bikes in order to escape in the event of their confronting the elephants.
Sources reminded that an ANM negotiating the Burha Nadi in Latehar district with baby on her back, slippers in hand and vaccine carrier across her shoulder had made big national news.
The ANM in water was a contractual one but was determined not to miss her vaccination date with her eligibles under the Burha Nadi.
Dr Amit Khalkho, medical officer in charge of the community health centre Mahuadanr sharing his experiences said our ANMs were hooted by those who had vowed not to take the vaccine but with patience we made these people agreeable to the vaccination.
As for Palamu, the first anniversary meant big. It got 18,76,690 doses and it utilised 18,48,191 doses.
There was one similarity between these two districts Latehar and Palamu in the first anniversary of the vaccination.
It was that both the districts saw new civil surgeon Dr Anil Kumar in Palamu and Dr Haren Chandra Mahto in Latehar.