Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Jan 5: The government of Karnataka has the daunting task of distributing the coronavirus vaccine. Though the plan is chalked out for storage and transportation of the vaccine, the state has a shortage of Public Health Centres (PHC). Another challenge is distributing vaccines from rural PHCs.
This problem came to light when the state health department conducted a dry run of vaccine distribution. There are 2,195 PHCs throughout the state. However, it is said, most of them do not have the facility to distribute the vaccine.
Representational image
At least three rooms are required while vaccinating people. Most of the PHCs do not have three rooms. Moreover, in PHCs where three rooms are available, they cannot be used only for vaccination as other patients cannot be treated.
Health department is on the lookout for other suitable places for vaccination. The health department has already procured 3,495 deep freezers, 3,776 ice lined refrigerators, nine walk-in coolers, five walk-in freezers and 2,870 cold chain points. However, the bottleneck is bringing these to the PHCs and vaccinating the public.