COVID jabs for pavement dwellers; Sky Foundation to do it every Sunday
Hyderabad: Taking the fight against Covid19 to the streets, literally, a city-based NGO along with the state health department launched a one-of-a-kind vaccination drive here on Sunday to protect the homeless and pavement dwellers in the city from Coronavirus infection.
The Covid19 vaccination effort to cover the homeless, on the first day, saw around 30 people receiving their first dose of the vaccine. “We will do this every Sunday from now on. Many of the homeless do not have an Aadhaar card, or a mobile phone, which are required to get a Covid19 shot. A special effort was needed to ensure they too are protected against Covid,” said Sanjeeva Kumar from Sky Foundation.
The vaccination for the homeless on the pavements, claimed to be the first such effort in the country, came about after a recent meeting the foundation functionaries had with the Hyderabad DMO Dr Venkat. He extended support for the drive.
“This is a special day for us,” said Dr Srimannarayana, an assistant civil surgeon with the health department, who helped the NGO with the vaccination effort. He carried with him a staff nurse, G Bharati, and two ANMs – S Rama Devi, and K Sujatha – to vaccinate the homeless.
Shaheda Begum, one of those who received her first dose, said she was happy that someone was trying to be of help to the poor. Similar was the reaction of Manianna, another who got the jab.
Asked if those vaccinated on Sunday have been informed about the post vaccination care, Kumar said most of the homeless in the city trusted him, as the foundation has been helping them in recent years. “We informed them of the possible side-effects, gave medications for fever and body aches. We will be checking on them every day for the next five days,” he said.
“Before today’s vaccination, we had held some awareness sessions with the homeless who stayed opposite KIMS Hospital on Minister Road, and opposite the Goshala on Lower Tank Bund. We will be holding the vaccination session every Sunday,” Kumar added.
