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...