COVID19 : UNICEF, WHO task media on public enlightenment on vaccination
COVID19 : UNICEF, WHO task media on public enlightenment on vaccination.
By Onuminya Ochowechi, Sokoto.
In view to stop the spread of deadly Corona Virus disease in Sokoto State the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Children Education Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday charged media and other stakeholders to step up public enlightenment on the important of embracing newly introduced vaccines.
The bodies maintained that for now there is no cure for the disease hence the need to prevent the spread of the disease.
Speaking at the risk communication and community engagement sensitization of media 50 personnel on COVID19 and introduction of Covid19 vaccine at Specialist Hospital ,Sokoto the representative of World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Iliya Muhammad said media are partners because of their role in information desimination.
He noted that to erode superstitious believe of the people in country about the corona virus vaccine media have a vital role to play in enlighten the people on the advantage of the vaccine.
He further explained that the queen of England , queen Elizabeth, the America’s president elect Joe Biden, King Salman of Saudi Arabia have all been vaccinated against the virus stressing that the vaccines are effective.
On his part the UNICEF representative Dr Barau who spoke on professional media report on COVID19 Vaccine charged media to be proactive in discharging their duties.
She stated that accurate , balance information will go a long way in dispelling rumors against Covid19 vaccine.
She further posited that media are bridge between the Health officials and the people in times like this
Given the current update of Covid19 situation in the state Dr Abdulrahman Ahmad Director Primary Health Care (DPH) disclosed that the rate at which the second wave of Covid19 is spreading in the state is at alarming .
Dr Ahmad averred that in the first wave the state recorded just over hundred with seven death but stated that as of now the confirmed cases in the state is over five hundred with fourteen death hence the need for all hands to be deck
He implored people of the state to observe COVID19 protocols to avoid spreading of the virus.
Those who attended the event includes 50 journalists from social , traditional media, medical experts and other stakeholders.
