Braving treacherous paths, snakes and leeches, Meghalaya’s women of steel — have, in ultra-remote areas, reached out and vaccinated people against the Covid-19 pandemic.
The all-women team of Kulang, Amarsang, Thadteja and Pormawdar of Ranikor in West Khasi Hills district, braving driving rain, water-logged roads and tough terrain reached remote corners along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
Incidentally, Ranikor is located on the Jadukata river banks and is 56 kilometres from Shillong. The rock cliffs and green foliage of the area make it a scenic spot for the visitors wanting to escape the urban jungle.
To ensure the safety of these women, the Nonghyllam Police Station officer in-charge sent police personnel with them. Starting their arduous journey early in the morning, 5.30 a.m. they reached the first village Kulang, at 8 a.m.
On their way to Pormawdar, they were greeted by a massive deluge, yet they continued and wading through the high water reached the village at 11 a.m.
Realising that time was of essence, they single team divided into two to complete the work in time. While one set moved to Amarsang and the second left for Thadteja village.
The Amarsang team reached at 2 p.m. and the Pormawdar members had to travel for another two more hours.
It was definitely no picnic outing as the members of the teams had to lug backpacks consisting of adverse effects following immunisation kits, anaphylaxis kits, stationery items, packed food, vaccine carriers, among other essential stuff. Loaded with all this was the travel in a region with valleys, steep hills and thick forests.
Talking to News18, Dr. (Miss)Patmos Warjri, medical officer in-charge said: “We even joked among ourselves as to who received the highest number of leech stings as we encountered many leeches and snakes as well on our journey. Despite the odds, our teams managed to vaccinate a total of 147 beneficiaries in all these villages. We made our way back on foot to Pormawdar and back to Kulang by 11 p.m. the same night, and finally reached Ranikor CHC at around 1.30 a.m. the following day.”
Following their success, the State Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma tweeted: “Nothing can deter the spirit of our frontliners who are set to conquer the last mile vaccination challenge in remote villages in Meghalaya. Ranikor CHC Team took the #COVIDVaccination to villagers who were unable to come for vaccination due to heavy monsoon rains.”
Nothing can deter the spirit of our frontliners who are set to conquer the last mile vaccination challenge in remote villages in Meghalaya
Ranikor CHC Team took the #COVIDVaccination to villagers who were unable to come for vaccination due to heavy monsoon rains@mansukhmandviya pic.twitter.com/DJPAiHic1t
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) July 18, 2021
These remote areas are tough to reach even on normal days and with monsoon, the going was even worse. With the weather too was inclement as there was intense heat and humidity and with no connectivity, the team members could not stay in touch with the outside world.
What made the success of this mission very sweet for the team was the fact that in their earlier two attempts they were unable to reach these places. With dogged determination and tenacity, these health workers persisted and the third time they returned successful!
Meanwhile, in order to increase the number of the vaccinated, the State CM, Sangma has roped in legislators and elected tribal council members to ramp up the process of vaccination.
