Estate workers welcome mobile unit like superheroes

Doing their part: Plantation workers filling in the Covid-19 vaccine consent form during the mobile vaccination programme at Ladang Kertam, Kinabatangan. — Bernama

KINABATANGAN: With the nearest vaccination centre in Hospital Kinabatangan more than 20km away as well as restrictions due to the lockdown, workers of the Kertam oil palm estate here are over the moon with the arrival of the Covid-19 mobile vaccination team.

Faced with obstacles such as the lack of transportation and roads as well as rising Covid-19 cases, the workers welcomed the team like they were “superheroes”.

Worker Leng Kar Heang, 70, said he took the vaccine to protect his family from the virus.

“I am more confident to work after this... the mobile vaccination programme is great because we are living in an estate far from the city and the vaccination centre.

“Everyone was happy when the vaccine arrived, it’s like welcoming a superhero, ” he said.

Admitting that they were initially influenced by rumours about the vaccine, Halimah Jamitah, 44, and her daughter Eva Alvinah Samsul, 21, changed their minds after seeing the vaccination process for themselves.

“After observing the vaccination process, we feel more confident to take the vaccine.

“Moreover, all the recipients, including the elderly, seem to be healthy afterwards, ” said Eva Alvinah.

Thanking the government and the Health Ministry for conducting the vaccination programme in plantations, estate manager Sinoh Kulipang, 45, urged the community to give their support.

“This vaccination programme makes it easier for plantation workers to get the vaccine as we face difficulties going out due to the implementation of the lockdown, ” he said.

The mobile vaccination team, comprising 17 personnel from the ministry, the Kinabatangan district Health Department and Civil Defence, aims to inoculate 300 workers in plantations.

Welcoming the efforts to bring the Covid-19 vaccine into the plantations, Kinabatangan district officer Abd Manap Abd Ruhim said the management had cooperated by providing a place for the jabs.

“At the moment, the shots are only for locals (but) foreign workers from the high-risk group will also be considered, ” he said.

As at May 27, 24, 408 residents in the district had registered for the vaccine. — Bernama