For the challenged, getting vax turns into tricky affair
Though thousands of beneficiaries are getting inoculated against Covid-19 every day, the differentlyabled are finding it hard to get the jabs due to the location of the vaccination centres.
P. Srinivas, 48, who is differently abled, has been trying to get himself vaccinated for a month, but in vain. Like him, there are hundreds of others who are also waiting.
Speaking to this newspaper, Srinivas, a resident of Addagutta, said, “We are not in a position to reach the vaccination centre early in the morning and stand in queue for hours as our condition doesn’t support us.”
A month ago, he contacted the helpline and sought an appointment for vaccination and waited for a call. To his surprise he got to know that it was cancelled. He registered himself again and was informed that the first dose had been stopped and the second dose vaccination was going on.He said the government was not even recognising their special needs.
Although the Centre had suggested against door-todoor vaccination and came up with the idea of a ‘near to home’ vaccination centre, many differently-abled persons demanded vaccination at their doorstep. Disabled rights forums also urged the government to arrange separate centres for them as suggested by the Centre.
T. Bhujangam, 45, said, “Five days ago, I called the helpline and they informed me that the first dose vaccination was stopped and assured that they would inform me it resumed.” He opined door-to-door vaccination for differently-abled persons would be helpful.
K. Nageshwar Rao, president of teh All India Disabled Rights Forum, told this correspondent, “Usually immunity of the disabled is low compared to others. The government on humanitarian grounds should start a vaccination drive for differently-abled persons like they are doing for superspreaders in the state.”
Approximately around eight lakhs differentlyabled persons are there in Telangana state. Most of them are not in position to take care of themselves.
Adding to the woes they are scared of getting contracted with Covid-19 by standing in long queues and are clueless about their future. The AIDRF urged the government to vaccinate them on a priority basis.
According to the Central government directions, the strategy of ‘near to home’ vaccination centres for elderly and differentlyabled citizens has been formulated and has been recommended to be adopted.
As per this strategy, vaccination drive will be more accessible to elderly and differently abled.
Nageshwar Rao said, “The government should financially support the differently-abled persons who are already suffering from Covid-19.” He demanded that the state government give an ex gratia of `10 lakh to the relatives of those who already succumbed to Covid-19.