Dharavi shows the way once again: Campaigns, free travel, gifts push up COVID-19 vaccination numbers

Dharavi residents now get free BEST bus rides to nearest vaccination centre

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), corporators, local politicians and doctors are going all out to ensure that the residents of Dharavi get vaccinated. They have come up with different ways - door-to-door campaigns, free travel and gift hampers - to encourage the residents to take the jab and clear their doubts regarding the vaccines. Hence, the number of vaccinations in the area, which earlier used to be about 100 daily, has increased to more than 300 now.

On weekends, citizens may travel to the train station or return from there on a valid ticket

Even after the vaccination process started, it was observed that not many people from Dharavi were getting inoculated. As no centre had been set up in the area, residents had to go either to Sion hospital or BKC jumbo COVID Centre for the jabs. Considering that people might be reluctant to travel long distances, a vaccination centre was set up at the Urban Health Centre in Dharavi, popularly known as Chhota Sion, on March 22. But people were still reluctant to take the jab.

"Not much enthusiasm regarding the vaccine was seen in Dharavi during the first week, so we started a door-to-door campaign to find out why. There was a lot of concern over safety of the jab and travelling cost," said Kiran Dighavkar, assistant commissioner of G-North ward.

"We held meetings with doctors practising in Dharavi, corporators, MLAs and MPs and started working on finding a way," he added. Vans with mikes announcing details about the vaccination drive and timings were deployed in the area. Corporators also started to reach out to the residents and explain the importance of vaccination.

"Most of the population in Dharavi is illiterate, so they were scared as they feared the jab's side-effects," said Babbu Khan, corporator from ward 184. "There was so much misinformation and confusion over who can take the jab. We cleared people's doubts slowly," he added.

As the authorities found out that one of the reasons for low turnout was transport cost, free BEST bus rides were arranged from nine health posts in Dharavi to Chhota Sion.

Dr Anil Pachnekar, senior medical professional practising in Dharavi, said, "Many doctors in the area now ask their patients and relatives to get vaccinated. We talk to them and clear their doubts." Vasant Nakashe, corporator from ward 186, said, "I have been going door to door and my party workers have made a list of names and are meeting people personally."

Dighavkar said, "After these arrangements were made, people started coming for the vaccines. The BMC roped in corporators, who distributed santisers and gifts among the residents. Now the situation is a lot better but much more needs to be done."

Dharavi vaccination drive

Population of Dharavi: approx. 12 lakh
Daily inoculation capacity of Chhota Sion: 1,000
Total No. of people inoculated from March 22 to 38: 875
Total No. of people inoculated from March 28 till date - 2,556

Daily vacination numbers in Dharavi
>> April 6 - 330
>> April 5 - 390
>> April 4 - 170
>> April 3 - 441
>> April 2 - 391

875
No. of Dharavi residents vaccinated between March 22 and March 28

2,556
No. of Dharavi residents vaccinated between March 29 and April 6