By Brian Wasili
Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) said it has intensified capacity building for community volunteers and health workers on transmission and prevention of the novel Coronavirus so that communities get right information about the pandemic.
MRCS Communications and Humanitarian Diplomacy Specialist, Felix Washoni made the disclosed this Saturday in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) at the end of two day training of trainers (ToT) for Disease Surveillance and Control Assistants (DSCA) and MRCS community volunteers in Mwanza.
“As agents of change and technocrats in health issues this training will equip them with right messages which are expected to be disseminated in the same way in their respective areas,” he said.
Washoni said the trainings are taking place in all districts country wide because MRCS realizes that for the Covid-19 to be prevented from spreading there was need for communities to get correct information from well trained personnel.
He said that MRCS was conducting social mobilization through a mobile van to promote prevention measures such as hand washing and social distance to avert the disease.
“We have placed our volunteers in all strategic public places to encourage hand washing with soap,” the Communications Specialists pointed out
About 55 participants who attended the workshop were trained on preparedness, prevention and response to Covid-19 pandemic.
The participants are expected to move from door-to-door disseminating messages of how the disease is transmitted and how to prevent it by promoting regular hand washing.
Additionally, during routine household visits communities are expected to be sensitized on myths surrounding the disease and other poor hygiene practices that can help to transmit the Coronavirus that causes the deadly disease.
Mwanza District Council Environmental Officer, Blessings Chitsime said the Council through a joint sectoral approach has intensified sensitization to communities on prevention measures so that no-one was left behind on how to prevent the epidemic.
“We are implementing Covid-19 prevention and control intervention in a concerted effort with different partners in the district,” he added.
Chitsime revealed that the Council has deployed enough health and law enforcers at the border and in all unchartered routes to intensify screening and facilitate hand washing of those entering the country from highly affected countries.
He hailed MRCS for conducting the training, saying it would go a long way in enhancing the prevention interventions at both council and community levels.
Other partners working with Mwanza District Council in the fight against Covid-19 include, United Purpose and Save the Children International among others.
