UNICEF Gambia office through its goodwill ambassador Jaliba Kuyateh and officials from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare are currently embarking on a ten-day mass awareness campaign on the four quick wins (4Quick Wins), namely good hand washing, the use of insecticide treated nets, breast-feeding and the preparation of sugar, salt and solution (SSS) for children suffering from diarroheoa.
The first round of the campaign, which ended in the Central River Region, covered five communities namely Kaur, Wassu, Bantato Mawdo, Bansang and Brikamaba.
Speaking at the Bansang meeting, the UNICEF goodwill ambassador in The Gambia Jaliba Kuyateh stated that this is the fourth year UNICEF and the Ministry of Health have embarked on such campaigns, noting that for the past three years, they have only concentrated in the Upper River Region. He said this time around, UNICEF deemed it necessary to extend the programme to CRR and LRR so that the messages they disseminate can be wider shared across the country.
He pointed out that as the rainy season is fast approaching, it is important for the people to always wash their hands with soap, before they eat anything or after using toilet. As he put it, this will prevent them from contracting diseases.
He advised them that any time they observe that their children have diarroheoa, the first thing they should do before going to the nearest hospital is to prepare sugar, salt, and solution (SSS).
He also used the occasion to call on women to practice exclusive breast-feeding and also avoid giving their children food before the first six months, noting that breast milk is good for the health and growth of the child. He urged them to always sleep under insecticide treated nets in order to prevent themselves and their families from malaria.
Omar Badjie, Health Promotion Officer at the Health Education Unit of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said the second leg of the tour will cover Bureng, Soma, Kwinella, Karantaba, and Bwiam.
At the end of every sensitisation, prizes were awarded to deserving winners.
