Viral video shows Himachal nurse risking life to cross raging river and vaccinate newborn

A viral video from Himachal Pradesh has captured the daring efforts of a nurse who risked her own life to ensure a newborn received vital immunisation. The footage shows Kamla Devi, a 40-year-old health worker, leaping from boulder to boulder while holding her shoes in one hand and carrying a backpack over her shoulders to cross a raging river in Mandi district.

“I was worried about the baby. The mother couldn’t come for immunisation because of the weather. So, I thought I should reach them,” Kamla Devi told The Indian Express.

Devi, posted at the Primary Health Centre in Sudhar, Padhar tehsil, was also given additional charge of the Swar Health Sub-Centre, which included the home of the mother and child. This responsibility motivated her to take the daring step.



On Friday, she crossed the turbulent waters without hesitation.

“The infant’s immunisation schedule demanded my immediate attention. There was nothing else on my mind. I don’t know who shot a video. Since it went viral, I have been answering phone calls only. People are congratulating and saluting me,” Devi told The Indian Express.

While the gesture has won widespread admiration, officials have urged caution. Chief Medical Officer Deepali Sharma described Devi’s actions as a “grand gesture” but warned against avoidable risks.

“It was a courageous step on her part. But we don’t want our health workers to endanger themselves. If there is an inaccessibility factor, we’ll make arrangements for them to reach the beneficiaries,” Sharma told The Indian Express.

The video has sparked a wave of appreciation on social media. One user wrote, “Such people truly need appreciation! With roads blocked due to floods and landslides, she carried duty on her shoulders.”

At the same time, many have called on authorities to provide safer solutions for frontline health workers.

“Her efforts are commendable. But why have the authorities not provided any alternative solutions? Why no emergency infrastructure for such cases?” another user commented.

Inputs from agencies