SIBU, June 19: Agape Centre is targeting higher numbers for their Covid-19 vaccination process after having successfully vaccinated 750 people with various disabilities and their parents so far.
The first round, conducted from June 16 to 18, involved recipients who were primarily people with intellectual disabilities, autism, down syndrome, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy and some with hearing impairment and spinal cord injury.
Secretary of Agape Centre Dr Toh Teck Hock said today that the second round is slated to take place for June 28 and 29.
“Earlier this month, we gathered together and decided to work with Sibu Divisional Health Office to make Agape Centre one of the mobile centres as part of the Covid-19 vaccination programme for 750 people with disabilities and their parents,” he recalled.
The volunteers came from Lau King Howe Memorial Children Clinic under Sibu Divisional Health Office, NGOs in Agape Centre, namely Association for Children with Special Needs, Methodist Care Centre, Sibu Autistic Association, and Special Olympics.
“Doctors from the various departments in Sibu Hospital came to help with consent taking, assessment and observation,” he said.
Dr Toh added that there were a few private doctors who decided to close their clinic to lend a helping hand for a couple of sessions with the assistance of three retired nurses.
“We also have two entertainers who paid for their own expenses to come from Kuching to help us make balloons and put on clown costumes. Their presence was to help make the recipients feel calm when receiving the vaccine,” he said.
Although there was no monetary gain, he said that he could see that everyone had been paid with immense satisfaction and joy.
“Staff in Agape Centre are unique people. For more than a year, like everyone else, they have been stressed by the pandemic. I have not seen many smiles on their faces and not heard them cracking many jokes. But I experienced that again in the last three days. It is a good feeling for being able to do something in a genuinely ‘Agape manner’,” he commended. — DayakDaily
