KUCHING: Three hundred and thirty-one persons with disabilities (OKU) received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at Normah Medical Specialist Centre today (June 19).
The vaccination programme for the OKU was organised by the specialist centre in collaboration with the Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development (KWKPK) Ministry.
Its minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah was present at the private hospital to witness the vaccination process for the OKU, which was held from 8.30 am until 12.30 pm.
Of the total OKU vaccine recipients, one was from the ministry, three were OKU individuals, 25 from special needs education, 143 from the OKU Sports Association and 159 from the private sector.
“This programme allows the OKU to be vaccinated early,” she said.
Fatimah also revealed that by next week, a second group of about 300 OKU who were on the vaccination list would be receiving the shots.
“I want to thank the Normal Medical Specialist Centre for its willingness to provide vaccination slots to the OKU with special needs aged 18 and above, and KWKPK, especially the Early Childhood Development Division and the OKU Development Unit for conducting active tracing of OKU who have not been vaccinated and for sending the list to the specialist centre,” she said.
Fatimah also called upon the presidents, managers of non-governmental organisations (NGO) for people with disabilities as well as the Village Security and Development Committees (JKKKs) to inform the ministry of any OKU who had not registered or vaccinated.
“This measure is to ensure that no OKU outside the institution of the Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKMS) is not left out from the vaccination programme.
Meanwhile, from June 16 to 18, 750 OKU and their guardians were vaccinated at the Agape Centre in Sibu.
This was the result of collaboration between the Agape Centre and Sibu Divisional Health Department and Sibu Divisional Hospital.
As for other divisions and districts, the JKMS will be collaborating with the JKKKs to conduct active tracing of OKU who have not been vaccinated; their names will be submitted to the heads of the district vaccination centres for further action.
