Octogenarian Orang Ulu duo brave rapids to get vaccinated in Sarawak

In an effort to protect themselves from the coronavirus, two octogenarian Orang Ulu women in a rural district of Sarawak braved river rapids and downpours to get their Covid-19 vaccinations, according to a government doctor.

Medical officer Dr Marcos Popey of the Belaga Health Clinic in Sarawak's Kapit division shared the tale of Lian Jubin, 86, and 87-year-old Apong Salleh's determination to get inoculated.

"Phase 2 of the vaccination programme in Belaga started on May 7 and on the first day, two Orang Ulu ladies of Punan ethnicity from Punan Biau, Belaga caught my attention.

"Their attempt to go to the vaccination centre on their own was somehow a remarkable effort. They travelled via boat to the Belaga Health Clinic to get their first jab.

"It was not an easy journey as it was raining and they have to go through multiple river rapids to reach the vaccination centre," Marcos told Malaysiakini.

According to Marcos, the government clinic's vaccination team is scheduled to travel via the tributaries of Rajang River, and will also use four-wheel-drive vehicles, as well as a helicopter to ensure that people in Belaga have an equal opportunity to get vaccinated.

"We will be travelling to those rural places under the Belaga district such as Metalun, Tegulang, Long Jawe, Naha Jaley, Long Tanyit, Long Kajang, Long Abit, Batu Keling, Punan Busang, Lusong Laku and Punan Bah," he said.

Octogenarians Lian Jubin (right) and Apong Salleh during their vaccination process.

Belaga is home to many Orang Ulu ethnic groups such as Kayan, Kenyah, Punan, Kejaman, Lahanan, Penan and Sekapan which have their own languages and cultural practices.

It is located on the upper reaches of the Rajang River, some 120km northeast of Kapit and slightly less than 100km from the South China Sea coast near Bintulu. However, its dense forest and rough terrain mean that the travel time is significantly more than the distances would suggest.

"The total population that has registered and is eligible for vaccination in Belaga is 28,246," said Marcos, adding that the first phase of vaccination in Belaga took place on March 7.

He said that the District Health Office of Kapit has expanded its vaccination programme into two different methods for Phase 2 and 3.

"There is the static and the outreach method to get to communities in remote and rural areas, so that those who have difficulty due to geographical challenges will get vaccinated," he added.

Sarawak has suffered 207 fatalities from Covid-19 with a cumulative infection tally of 34,706 cases.