The event that ran from the 21 of September to the 26 of October, 2020, took the health team to over 10 localities in Wum - Zhoa, Weh, Bu, Upkwa, Zongofe, kesu, Mbu-uh, Ndzendzam and Ko-oh.
Headed by Tebe Rogeson, Rural Doctors NW Regional Coordinator, held discussions with community representatives as well as trained community health workers on the Covid19 preventive measures and how to sensitized the population.
Priority was given to home visits so as to have face to face exchanges this feedback. Schools were not left out as students were educated on the importance of proper hand washing and wearing of face masks. These children are no strangers to talks on Covid19 but their point of interest was on when and how to put on the face mask.
Ranibelle Kpwe, a student in GHS Weh, told Rural Doctors, she is aware of the facemask but doesn’t know how long she has to keep it on or if its proper to keep it on when she is alone.
Saho Mabeng, a science student in GHS Weh posed a similar question, asking why people have to wash their hands for 20 seconds and how possible is it, for them to practice social distancing in school.
The health team cleared up their worries by installing hand washing points in these schools and having practical sessions with the kids on how to properly wash their hands for 20 seconds and how to put on and off their face masks.
While sensitizing the population at public places, the team noticed that, many inhabitants are staying away from the district hospital due to fake stories that health personnel are infecting people with the virus.
“Whenever I have fever, I take fever grass and other herbs. I feel scared going to the hospital after hearing that they infect people at the hospital”, says Kum Mathias, a farmer.
Most parts of Wum depend solely on the health personnel at the district hospital for education on the deadly pandemic because of the constant network challenges that bars them from updating their information boxes from online sources.
According to RD NW Cordinator, Tebe Rogerson, the project was a success though it met numerous challenges. The population refused to accept covid-19 as a reality as they kept insisting that it doesn’t exist.
“We had difficulties accessing every home because of religious differences. Some muslim women couldn't talk to us in the absence of their husbands. People refused to listen because they are scared we represent the government so, they fear for their lives since we are in a crises area. In addition to that, poor network, bad roads and insecurity in some communities did not permit us to sensitize some areas”.
The Wum district medical officer, Dr Flores Duke Elommebako while participating in the training of community health workers, appreciated the efforts of Rural Doctors in helping the people of Wum fight Covid19. Their visit will go a long way to reduce the load of work the hospital’s health personnel have in sensitizing and providing the people with hygienic gadgets.
Rural Doctors is a Non-governmental organization aimed at providing lifesaving services health care to vulnerable persons during crisis and endeavor to help persons in rural areas stay healthy.
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