By Nelson Manneh
The Ministry of Health has sensitized and engaged 32 communities and 1233 households on COVID 19 preventive measures using existing community structures.
Dr. Bittaye the Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health said on risk communication and community engagement, 21 members of regional RCCE committee are undergoing training on feedback and reporting mechanism of affected populations.
On case management component Dr. Bittaye said only one COVID 19 patient is currently isolated at the treatment facility.
“Psychosocial support is regularly given to the isolated patient, persons under quarantine and the health workers involved,” he said.
Dr. Bittaye said burial teams are identified and trained on safe and dignified burial in each region.
“The Ministry of Health will embark on engaging the private pharmacies to report clients presenting flu-like symptoms to the RRTs,” he said.
He said that they will embark on sensitization of the public on the existence of the burial teams in all health regions and finalize SOPs on community engagement and social mobilization for social and behavioural change approaches on COVID 19.
“The Ministry of Health and RCCE committee are to work with municipalities on community engagement and fumigation of the homes of the newly discharged persons who have recovered from COVID 19,” he said.
Dr. Bittaye said the department of Social Welfare and other actors are working on modalities of receiving Quranic students returning from Senegal and strengthening community surveillance in all regions especially at undesignated border areas.
He said they will continue with the daily follow-ups on low-risk contacts and those discharged from quarantine.
“We are still encouraging public reporting and self-reporting of suspected cases through the toll-five line (1025),” he noted.
Dr. Bittaye commended the government for its huge investment in providing food items to the needy people of this country.
He said this will not only enhance the nutritional status of the people ,but will also enhance their stay at home and maintain safe distancing.
