Digital divide curbs vaccine access in rural Telangana

Savvy urban residents book slots in rural PHCs while villagers sans smart phones are unable to register

The government-mandated online registration process for COVID-19 vaccination has starkly exposed the digital divide in Telangana, with the Internet savvy urban population cornering access while the poorer, less aware rural people are left out as the second phase is rolled out. Unable to find online slot in the Twin Cities, several urban residents are zeroing-in on available slots in the countryside for their vaccination even though it might mean a drive of nearly a 100 kms. While the digitally savvy city-dwellers are happily walking out after a jab, the local villagers are struggling to book slots. The divide is clearly visible at the Chinchod Primary Health Centre, 76 kms from Hyderabad on the Ranga Reddy-Mahboobnagar district border, where staff are administering Covid jabs to urbanites swooping on its rural hinterland as slots are unavailable in the city for 45/60 + citizens. The nondescript PHC is lined with high-end cars as nurses step out to vaccinate beneficiaries seated inside the air-conditioned cars.