PONDA: The free vaccination camp organised for slum dwellers from Bandora Panchayat jurisdiction at the Government Primary School, Chirputem evoked a poor response as most migrants “stayed away” fearing that “inoculation could prove fatal.”
The slum dwellers raised apprehension that they would die after receiving the vaccine dose.
Sarpanch Rajesh Naik said, “On Saturday I along with panchas and supporters created door-to-door awareness in slum area with regards to the vaccination camp, but hardly around 65 persons showed up.”
Marcaim MLA Sudin Dhavalikar said, “If the government does not encourage the migrants to get themselves vaccinated then COVID will continue to spread. There is fear spread among the migrants that they will die after inoculation.”
The MLA said, “The camp was organized in coordination with Ponda Sub District Hospital, Bandora Panchayat and Madhavrao Dhavalikar Trust. I was surprised that slum dwellers, who are daily wage earners and mostly from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala and other States didn’t turn up for vaccination camp.”
Sudin said, “There are around 350 slum dwellers residing in 200 houses in the area but not even 10 per cent turned up for the camp despite door-to-door awareness created by panchas, sarpanchas and our party workers. The migrants say a message has been spread that whoever takes the vaccine dies.”
Dhavalikar said, “Many women residing in the slum area are working as maids in several buildings and houses and if they are not vaccinated then this may result in the spread of COVID.”
He said almost 75 per cent locals of Bandora have been vaccinated while the migrants residing at Chirputem and Shapur are yet to be inoculated.
He called upon the government to create awareness on vaccination among slum dwellers through anganwadi workers.
He said, “The government should make vaccine dose mandatory for slum dwellers and within a month they should take the first dose.”
He even threatened to withhold the Aadhaar, ration and election cards if the migrants failed to get themselves vaccinated.
