Vaccination cert in dead man’s name in Upleta

Vaccination cert in dead man’s name in Upleta

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Rajkot:31.05.2021 

“Dear Hardas Karangia, you have successfully been vaccinated with your first dose with Covishield on May 29” — an innocuous message on Arvind Karangia’s mobile phone left this resident of Upleta town of Rajkot district and his entire clan shocked. Reason: Nearly three years ago, Hardas Karangia, 55, had died on August 22, 2018.

“When we received this message about vaccination for our late uncle, we were shocked. When we downloaded the certificate of vaccination, it was issued in the name of the late Hardas Karangia. How can this be possible? Something must be wrong and my late uncle’s Aadhaar card may have been misused. Government should investigate this matter thoroughly,” Arvind told media persons on Sunday.

According to Karangia, the particular vaccination was done at Samajwadi Health Centre in Upleta taluka of Rajkot district.

Arvind Karangia with the death certificate of uncle Hardas

Health officer orders probe

On the one hand, people are not getting vaccination slots and are having to stand in long queues for hours together, on the other hand vaccination certificates are being issued in the name of the dead!” Karangia added.

Nilesh Shah, chief district health officer (CDHO), Rajkot district, told TOI, “The matter has come to our notice and we have ordered an inquiry into it. If anyone is found indulging in any malpractices in the vaccination programme, a criminal case will be lodged.”

According to sources, till now 3.12 lakh doses of vaccination have been administered in Rajkot district, of which 2.63 lakh are first doses and over 76 lakh are second doses.