The motorcycle-riding lady health workers of Multan
Unable to cover large distances, lady health workers in Multan have bought motorcycles from their personal funds
November 13, 2018
Rabia Basri can be seen riding a motorbike through her assigned union council in Multan. The lady health worker has been associated with the National Health Programme for the past 18 years.
As time passed Rabia’s union council grew both in size and population. This made going door-to-door to administer polio drops and other vaccines difficult for her. “By learning to ride the bike, I can achieve my target without any concern,” Rabia tells Geo News.
Rabia Basri is among five health workers in the city who have learnt to ride a motorcycle. “We become really tired and are unable to cover the target in the area given to us on foot. We appeal to the government to provide us scooters,” said lady health worker Rubina Naz.
Health workers in Punjab are only provided a salary, not even conveyance during a drive. “They [health workers] can no longer cover the 20-25 kilometre distance of their union council by foot. Fed up they have bought bikes on instalments themselves,” said President National Programme Health Employees Association Punjab Rukhsana Anwar.
