Braving Floodwaters: Two Women Health Workers Risk Their Lives To Vaccinate Children in Remote Odisha Village

Nuadhepaguda: markable story of courage, dedication, and public service has emerged from India's eastern state of Odisha, where two frontline women health workers risked their lives to ensure that not a single child missed the life-saving polio vaccine.The incident took place in Nuadhepaguda village under Manchagaon Panchayat in Tentulikhunti Block of Nabarangpur district. The village lies across the Indravati Reservoir and has no road connectivity. The only way to reach it is by a small country boat—a journey that becomes especially dangerous during the monsoon season when water levels rise and currents become stronger.Despite these challenges, ASHA worker Draupadi Jani and Anganwadi worker Til Santa refused to let geography stand in the way of healthcare.As

part of the government's nationwide polio immunization campaign, five children in the remote village were due to receive their polio drops. Determined to ensure that no child was left behind, the two women boarded a country boat and crossed the swollen reservoir. According to local reports, they even helped row the boat during the risky journey to reach the isolated village safely.After a difficult trip, they successfully reached Nuadhepaguda and administered polio drops to all five children, making sure every eligible child was covered under the vaccination drive. They later returned safely after completing their mission.The entire journey was captured on video, which has now gone viral on social media. Thousands of people are praising the two women for their extraordinary commitment, courage, and dedication to public health. Their story is being celebrated as a powerful reminder that true heroes often work quietly in the most challenging conditions.Additional District Public Health Officer of Nabarangpur, Malay Kumar Tripathy, also commended the health workers. He said their dedication reflects the Health Department's commitment to ensuring that every child receives essential immunization, regardless of how remote or inaccessible the location may be.Their inspiring journey is a testament to the spirit of frontline workers, proving that when it comes to protecting children's health, no river is too wide and no destination is too far.