Walk-in vaccination starts in Bhakkar
While citizens crowd govt vaccination centres, managements of around 20 entities hoping to open private vaccination centres say the Sindh govt has thus far only permitted three private hospitals to do so. PHOTO: AFP
Walk-in vaccination against the coronavirus disease for citizens above the age of 18 has begun in Bhakkar. Reportedly, people can now directly get inoculated against the virus by showing their original CNIC.
Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza said that earlier people had to wait for the date along with the code message after they had received an SMS from 1166.
In this regard, the district administration had provided all facilities at 13 vaccination centres in the four tehsils of Bhakkar.
Rural Health Hospitals, including District Headquarters and THQ Hospitals, had trained staff of the department of health at coronavirus vaccination centres, who were bound to immunise the citizens without any waiting in the first priority.
About 200 personnel, including doctors and paramedical staff of the health department, had been deployed at coronavirus vaccination centres in the district where they were performing their official duties.
However, Friday will be the off day at vaccination centres. Meanwhile, the health department staff will vaccinate citizens visiting the centres.
The deputy commissioner told The Express Tribune that the Covid-19 vaccine was safe in all respects. “Citizens should not listen to rumours being spread via social media platforms.”
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So far 54,000 citizens have been vaccinated in our district and no harm has been reported so far.
The DC inaugurated the coronavirus vaccination camp at the Metropolitan Corporation in Bhakkar.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhakkar Assistant Commissioner Anwar Ali Kanju claimed that public and social circles of Bhakkar appreciated the people-friendly policy of the district administration.
“Recently, efforts of the medical staff in Bhakkar district have led to a successful journey to bring down the ratio of positive coronavirus cases in the district from 33% to 3%.”
The team at Bhakkar District Headquarters Hospital not only saved thousands of lives, by putting their lives at risk during the pandemic, but also fought against it by being at the forefront.
A ceremony was held in recognition of the services rendered by the team of DHQ Hospital under the patronage of Medical Superintendent Dr Muhammad Rashid Khan.
All doctors, paramedical staff, nurses and sweepers were commended for their service and were honoured with tributes and certificates of appreciation in the presence of the deputy commissioner, Health Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Rao Muhammad Sulaiman, representatives of Pakistan Medical Association, representatives of Punjab Young Doctors Association and senior officers of the health department.
The DC said in his address that at a time there was a record ratio of 33% positive coronavirus cases in Bhakkar which topped all of the 36 districts of Punjab. “However, I am thankful to the sacrifices of all other medical personnel including doctors because of their efforts it was possible to bring back the ratio to 3% positive cases in the district.”
During the severity of the coronavirus pandemic, when every family having one or more virus patients was scared and worried about their lives, the medical staff seemed to be engaged in a desperate effort to save the lives of the affected without being concerned about their own lives, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 15h, 2021.