Abia NAWOJ, Ministry Of Health Sensitise Residents On Monkeypox Outbreak

Abia NAWOJ, Ministry Of Health Sensitise Residents On Monkeypox Outbreak

Following the global threat posed by the outbreak of Monkeypox, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Abia State Chapter has, in conjunction with the Public Health Emergency Operations Center, Ministry of Health, deepened awareness campaigns to keep in check the subsisting spread in the country
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Speaking during the event held at NAVC/ICPC office, in Umuahia, the state’s capital, the Chairperson, Caretaker Committee of NAWOJ Abia State Chapter Mrs Oluchi Lechi-Ikechukwu urged Abians to support government through raising awareness on preventive measures.

She also called on humanitarian Nongovernmental Organisations and others, to engage in public sensitisation on how to check spread of the virus.

Mrs Lechi-Ikechukwu seized the opportunity to reiterate the resolve of her led caretaker Committee to place Abia NAWOJ on the front burners.

“When I was given this job by the National body of NAWOJ, I saw it as a challenge. Nobody hears about NAWOJ in Abia State for some years now, so immediately we were sworn-in, we swung into action, letting people know that NAWOJ truly and really exist in Abia.

“We also embarked on sensitization exercise and the collaboration with the State Ministry of Health to educate Abians on what Monkey pox is all about, is one of the results of our various outreaches”.

She expressed optimism that after the enlightenment programme, the participants would be able to take precautionary measures and stay alive.

Addressing the participants, the resource person, Lady Peace Nwogwugwu, who is also State Epidemiologist cum Incident Manager, Monkey pox urged the participants to strictly adhere to the stipulated guidelines and public health directory to prevent and control the spread of the epidemic.

She particularly advised residents against body contacts with infected or suspected persons and also encouraged the participants to preach and maintain social distancing, regular washing of hands, and avoid unnecessary travels.

Participants listening to the resource person, Lady Peace Nwogwugwu during the programme Lady Nwogwugwu disclosed that Abia State Government had activated all necessary response activities and enjoined the participants to carry the information to the hinterlands.pa

Applauding the Abia State NAWOJ and Ministry of Health for the health education programme, the State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Victor Ndukwe and Rev. Blessed Amalambu, the Abia State Co-ordinator of the National Anti-corruption Volunteer Corps of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offices Commission (NAVC/ICPC) said it is necessary to intensify health risk messaging on the prevention of monkeypox, and other epidemic-prone diseases.

He pointed out that the sensitization is key to breaking community transmission and encouraged the community health champions to ensure that they release informations on leaflets or fliers so that participants could easily reach out to people of the community and help them understand what to do to protect themselves and their loved ones.Fr

“Monkeypox is a zoonotic (transferred from animals to humans) viral disease, previously known to have been confined to the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa but now reported in several European, Asian countries and the United States.

The disease has become the next biggest scare for the world after COVID-19, with the World Health Organization, WHO closely monitoring the outbreak.