PORVORIM
Senior citizens have been flocking to the Porvorim Primary Health Centre (PHC) to receive their Covid vaccination.
“We have received an overwhelming response from senior citizens from the first day itself,” Porvorim PHC Health Officer Dr Vikas Naik told The Goan.
“The PHC had only 30 chairs and considering the response, we were forced to make arrangements for additional chairs for people and the Penha de Franca panchayat helped the PHC in this regard.”
“Those senior citizens who cannot walk are also being provided with wheelchair facilities,” said Dr Naik.
Dr Naik said the Porvorim PHC had administered the Covishield vaccine to around 277 people from Monday to Wednesday.
“These included people in the age group of 45-59 years with co-morbid conditions and those above 60 years, while 24 health workers were administered the second dose.”
“On Thursday, over 100 people registered themselves for the first jab, but the PHC is administering vaccines to only 100 persons per day. A 90-year-old man Kuldeep Singh also took his first dose of vaccine,” said Dr Naik.
The PHC health officer admitted that the staff had been working extra time to cater to the people.
“Given the limited workforce at the Porvorim PHC, the staff barely get enough time for their lunch. They finish their lunch within 10 minutes and resume their duties. The PHC has been administering the Covid vaccine from 9 am to 5 pm without a lunch break.”
“We have been getting good support from the staff, which is why the vaccination process is going on smoothly and without any complaints from the people.”
“So far, no person who has taken the first dose of the vaccine has complained about serious side effects. Before administering the vaccine, senior citizens are advised that they could develop fever, body ache or may experience vomiting, but they would recover soon after medication,” said Dr Naik.
