Department of Health Security Emergency (DHSE) on Thursday launched the One Health National Emergency Risk Communication Strategic Plan at their Cockeril office. Launching the One Health, the deputy Minister of Health, Dr Anthony Sandy said risk communication is to give positive flow of information and to avert rumours that will damage any public health emergency. He said it was because of this reason that when the ebola broke out in 2014, it was difficult to fight the outbreak due to lack of knowledge and the flying rumours that brought so much mayhem on the health workers. “This Risk Communication strategic Plan will avert the bottlenecks in communication and it will give us real-time information, advice and opinions between experts and people facing threats to their health, economic or social well-being. The ultimate purpose of risk communication is to enable people at risk to take informed decisions to protect themselves and their loved ones.”
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Dr Sandy averred that risk communication uses many communications techniques ranging from media and social media communications, mass communications and community engagement. It requires a sound understanding of people’s perceptions, concerns and beliefs as well as their knowledge and practices. It also requires the early identification and management of rumours, misinformation and other challenges. Dr. Charles Njuguna representing the UN Family said when a country goes through emergency they should build back better. He said this is why the ‘One Health’ has been launched to make sure that standards are high and the country is ready to combat any outbreak in the future. “We work a lot during peace time because it is when you have peace you will be able to plan well and implement what you have planned during the outbreak period. This risk communication will build trust with the people and it will be easy to implement this strategy to avert casualties when we are under attack.” Monica Dea of USAID said Sierra Leone is the first country in West Africa to launch the One Health Risk Communication Plan, which means the country has learnt from the Ebola. “Communication is very important to manage public health and the coming together with the actors responsible for a healthy nation was timely and correct to put together these plans for the future to protect the nation.” She said USAID will continue to support and work with the One Health family to put Sierra Leone in the driving seat in the event that there is another outbreak. Alie Jalloh representing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said risk communication is an integral part of any public health emergency. “We are happy to be part of the One Health family and we will continue to contribute meaningfully in making sure that whenever there is another outbreak we will be well prepared to handle the situation. The reason for this risk communication strategy is to keep the people of Sierra Leone abreast with the correct information that will keep them safe.” Deputy Director of DHSE Dr. A.J. Moosa said the document will be of utmost importance to them and beyond because Sierra Leone he said is the first to put together such document.
AT/8/8/19
Friday August 09, 2019.
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