MIRI – Natives living in remote settlements in northern Sarawak have received written notices from state authorities asking them to submit their names in order to get the Covid-19 vaccine.
The Vibes today saw a copy of the notice sent out in the Baram area by the district-level Disaster Management Committee. It was signed by Telang Usan district officer Baru Tai.
“All residents of longhouses and villages are required to submit their names and identity card numbers before February 11 in order to obtain the Covid-19 vaccine,” said the notice.
“The vaccination process will start soon.”
It carried the name and telephone number of an officer with whom villagers can liaise.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu’s Baram chief, confirmed that the notice is being distributed to all settlements in his constituency.
“Yes, the district officer has sent out the notices to the villagers, asking them to submit a list with the names of those aged 18 and above who are currently living in the longhouses and kampung.
“This list is to enable us to know how many villagers are still living in these settlements, especially in the upper reaches of the jungles.
“We need to compile a proper list in order to know how many doses of the vaccine are needed for each settlement.”
He said no date has been fixed for when vaccination will begin, as the vaccines themselves have yet to arrive in Sarawak.
“We are compiling a list of names first for planning purposes.
“We need to prepare early because of the massive logistical challenge in a huge place like Baram.”
He said the top priority now is to prevent Covid-19 from spreading, with more than 100 longhouses in rural areas statewide already hit.
Teams from the Health Ministry and Pfizer Malaysia yesterday carried out a vaccine delivery test run from Bintulu airport to Belaga clinic.
They transported a freezer containing bottles of saline solution kept at -70°C, the temperature at which the Pfizer vaccine must be stored.
It is learnt that the freezer was able to maintain the temperature throughout the journey. – The Vibes, January 30, 2021
