Rajouri, June 12: Setting a new trend of overcoming geographical challenges for vaccination against coronavirus, a team of the Health department along with a Sarpanch trekked 10 hours to reach the Dhoks of Pir Panjal region to administer vaccine among the nomads.
The nomads have been living there from the past few months as part of their seasonal migration.
Block Medical Officer Kandi, Dr Iqbal Malik said that during a village-wise survey, it came to fore that a few nomadic families from Dhar Sakri and Rahari areas were present in seasonal house (Dhoks) located atop Pir Panjal mountains and would return by the end of summer.
“Following this, we decided to knock the doors of these nomads to vaccinate all of them,” said Dr Malik adding that a vaccination team comprising health workers from Health Center Rahari and Asha workers of the area was constituted and Sarpanch of Dhar, Ajaz Ahmad volunteered to be a part of this team.
“On Saturday, after a trek of 10 hours and after passing through hills, forests, rivers and some hamlets, the vaccination team finally reached atop Pir Panjal region where Dhoks of nomads are located,” Dr Malik said adding that all the eligible nomads present there were vaccinated while random Covid tests were also conducted and all returned negative.
Sarpanch of Dhar, Ahmad said that this vaccination drive was a challenge in itself as reaching atop Pir Panjal hills was always a tough task.
“I salute all the members of this vaccination team, especially the female members who braved all geographical hardships to reach the Dhoks,” he said adding that he volunteered to be a part of this team to assist the medical staff.