Health workers in Chin State’s Paletwa left waiting for COVID-19 vaccine

By Kyaw Thu Htay 30 Jan 2021

Kyaw Thu Htay | DMG
30 January 2021, Sittwe 

A total of 220 healthcare personnel in Paletwa Township, Chin State, are still awaiting their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, with the remote and difficult-to-access township yet to receive its first batch of vials, according to the local Department of Public Health. 

Dr. Soe Thet Win, a Paletwa Township health officer, said the vaccine has not yet reached the township due to significant transportation challenges, including infrastructure shortcomings and distance. 

“Because of poor transportation, the timeframe for vaccinating against COVID-19 is late coming. The vaccine cannot be sent directly by flight. We have to go to a township far from here and bring the vaccines to our township [overland],” he said.  

Daw Htay Htay, a nurse at Paletwa Hospital, said: “We have yet to get the vaccine jab. The poor transportation is one of the reasons the vaccine reaches here late. The vaccine has not yet arrived at the township as roads are blocked.” 

DMG was unable to reach U Soe Htike, spokesperson for the Chin State government, for comment on delays to the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Paletwa Township.

Healthcare workers throughout Myanmar began receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on January 27, including personnel in the Chin State townships of Hakha, Thantlang, Tedim, Tonzang and Falam.

Donated to Myanmar by India, the vaccine known as Covishield is administered in two doses, with the second shot coming four weeks after the first.