Speaking in an interview with Health Matters during the nationwide tour, Mr. Abdoulie Camara, deputy program manager at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Unit of the Department of State for Health, said the sensitization of communities and security personnel on the control and prevention of diarrhea is part of the package for the prevention and control of diarrhea and cholera and is been initiated by the National Cholera Task Force members.
He pointed out that the nationwide sensitisation is being funded by UNICEF through the Wash Project noting that the aim of the sensitisation is to enlighten people on the preventative measures that must be taken regarding cholera particularly by those in boarder areas.
Mr. Camara stated that DoSH has put everything in place in all the health facilities like drugs and infusions.
He called on communities to report all cases of diarrhea to the nearest health facility.
Commenting on how one gets infected with cholera, Mr. Camara said one can be infected with the cholera germ by drinking water contaminated with human feaces, eating contaminated sea foods. e.g. shellfish or eating contaminated fruits or raw vegetables.
He advised communities to always wash their hands with soap or soap powder and water after any contact with human faeces and before preparing or eating food.
At the end of the sensitization, communities also tasked the Regional Health Teams to revitalize and strengthen their regional epidemiology committees in order to strengthen disease surveillance in the country.
The places visited during the sensitisation were Amdali, Farafenni, Yellitenda ferry crossing point, Senoba, Jiboro, Dasilami, and Kartong among other villages.
