Health authorities in Yei River County of Central Equatoria State have urged non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to roll-out COVID-19 awareness activities in the rural areas.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Dr. James Wani, the director general of health in the defunct Yei River State said some partners pledged to carry out awareness campaigns in the counties of Morobo, Kajo-Keji, Yei and Lainya.
“Let us address these concerns in the counties because the government has a lot of financial and logistical challenges,” he said.
The appeal followed several complaints from citizens and community leaders over the lack massive awareness programs in the counties, villages and payams on the new coronavirus preventive.
Some residents claimed messages played on radio stations are mostly recorded in English and Arabic, making it difficult for villagers to understand symptoms of COVID-19 and its preventive measures.
Moses Malish, a resident in Lugule payam, said most people in his county do not know much information about the new coronavirus.
“We need awareness campaigns especially on the dangers of greetings because the disease is very dangerous. The government and NGOs should carry out awareness campaigns in Yei, Morobo, Lainya and Kajo-Keji and move out to rural areas,” he said.
Key symptoms of the new coronavirus include fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. The virus is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and the droplets land in the mouths and noses of another person.
A person can also get infected with coronavirus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or their eyes.