Amid reports of senior citizens failing to show up for their Covid-19 vaccination appointments, a PKR leader has urged the government to consider involving elected representatives in rolling out the ongoing National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP).
PKR women communications director Loh Ker Chean said the government should adopt a new approach in managing the nationwide exercise, including engaging elected representatives, local councillors and village heads through a weekly NIP briefing in their areas until herd immunity is achieved.
"Set up a dedicated hotline in multiple languages to manage the appointment datelines, (proposed) home vaccinations, and arrange assistance to be present at the vaccination centres.
"And thirdly, increase daily distribution of information in various languages on vaccination awareness, registration demonstration, checking registration and changing registration dates, across all media platforms," she said.
Loh (above) also urged all parties to set aside their political differences in the war against Covid-19.
In terms of Covid-19 vaccination registration rate, as of May 25, Sabah recorded the lowest figure with 17.56 percent, followed by Kelantan at 29.62 percent.
In Sabah, The Malay Mail reported that urban districts including Kota Kinabalu and Putatan recorded 25 percent and 42 percent registration respectively, while Kinabatangan, a rural district on the east coast, only showed 5.5 percent registration.
According to the report, Kadamaian assemblyperson Ewon Benedick attributed the low registration rate to an overall "wait-and-see" attitude, a lack of awareness, and also accessibility issues.
"In most kampungs in rural areas, you really need to go to them to convince them in person.
"With restrictions in place, like no gathering, churches and surau being limited and with the health department fully occupied, no physical awareness programme is being carried out in these kampungs," the Upko vice-president was quoted as saying.
The Malay Mail also quoted Kepayan state representative Jannie Lasimbang as saying that a lack of connection, both technologically and socially, had caused Sabah to trail far behind.
"I think they have not even scratched the surface for rural areas yet. Do the 60 percent rural population actually have access to registration?" she reportedly asked.
"If the government is relying on MySejahtera, the registration is expected to be low," said the Sabah DAP Wanita chief.
In the peninsula, it was reported that nearly 10,000 Kelantan residents, especially senior citizens, had failed to turn up to receive their Covid-19 vaccine jabs as of May 23.
Another 10,827 individuals registered to receive their Covid-19 vaccinations in Kedah between April 19 and May 22, also reportedly failed to turn up.
Other states that reportedly recorded a high number of no-shows as of this week include Perak, with over 9,000 absentees, and 3,612 individuals in Malacca.
Responding to the reports, several companies have stepped up to help senior citizens and others with special needs get to their Covid-19 vaccination sites, for free.
Among others, social enterprise Teman Malaysia - which normally offers elderly care services in the Klang Valley for a fee - is offering the services of its caretakers to accompany senior citizens for free. - Mkini
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