Pharmacists brave the wild to inoculate Orang Asli

Reaching out: Jerantut district health office workers stepping off a boat to vaccinate villagers at Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Kucing. — Bernama

JERANTUT: Carrying heavy loads along tortuous roads and crossing rivers was not routine for pharmacists Gan Siew Pei and Hadiatul Ain Hasanuddin.

But they went through these challenges to ensure an Orang Asli community received Covid-19 vaccinations.

Working with the Jerantut district health office and the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) was a once-in-a-lifetime experience they would never forget.

Gan, 26, said together with Hadiatul, 29, were tasked with preparing and ensuring the vaccines were always in good condition before being taken to the vaccination centre at Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Kucing, Ulu Tembeling here.

“The challenge started when we had to travel over a road full of potholes and deep puddles for an hour.

“We crossed a river by boat for 10 minutes and while carrying a vaccine-filled container, which can maintain a temperature of 2-8°C, we trekked up a small hill.

“Hadiatul and I had to carry the special container filled with an ice pack and Sinovac vaccine doses. It weighed almost 20kg.

“We needed to ensure the vaccines were in good condition and within the stipulated temperature,” she said interview.

The second of three siblings said preparations started last Friday.

Gan said the vaccines were picked up at the Tanjung Lalang health clinic in Temerloh and transported to the Kuala Sat rural clinic here to be stored before they were taken to the Orang Asli village.

Although doubtful about the reception of the vaccine by the Orang Asli, she was relieved when the majority of them understood the briefing they were given on the side effects after the jab.

Hadiatul, who was eager to carry out the task, described the experience as “tiring but worth it”, because not everyone could go through such an experience.

“Prior to this, our routines were only giving medications to patients at the clinic. This time, we departed a bit from our actual duties.

“We assisted the nurses and doctors in preparations to provide 150 doses to the villagers.

“After ensuring the vaccines arrived safely, we briefed them on the side effects and set an appointment date for the second dose,” said Hadiatul, who worked as a pharmacist for five years.

Health workers from the Orang Asli community also helped in the vaccination process.

Among them, health treatment assistant Bahari Kalang persuaded those who refused to be vaccinated and also assisted in the registration process.

“For example, a few of them did not want to be vaccinated. They refused even after the Tok Batin (village headman) spoke to them.

“So, I met these villagers and convinced them. They eventually relented,” said Bahari, who has been a health worker for 20 years. — Bernama