Experts call for rigorous community advocacy against COVID-19

By Alao Abiodun

Health experts and professionals have called for rigorous community advocacy in the fight against the ravaging COVID-19 crisis across the globe.

They made this call during an online video conferencing monitored by The Nation, as organised by Peoples Health Foundation, tagged “Roles of citizens in fighting COVID-19 in Nigeria”, with the aim of assessing how Nigerians are coping with the current challenges.

The moderator, Dr. Philip Idaewor in his opening remarks, commended the efforts of the government so far, and also called on citizens to remain calm in the face of the challenges COVID-19 outbreak has caused so far. The conference which had in attendance different health experts and professionals, raised and addressed cogent questions on the current outbreak.

Some of the notable attendees were Senator Lawal Shuaibu: APC, Deputy National Chairman (North), H.E, Ibrahim Suleiman, Charge D’Affairs, Embassy of Nigeria to Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, Dr. Johnson, Deputy Provost Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Ambassador Segun Olukoya, Mr Tolu Oshindero, CEO, CleveLand, Europe.

Read Also: COVID-19: Nigeria isn’t ripe for total relaxation of lockdown – Buhari

President, Commonwealth Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele who spoke at the session, said, COVID-19 has caused a lot of distortion especially in the health sector. Enabulele who spoke on access to care, fundamental abuses of people’s right, said citizens have huge roles and clear responsibilities to play during this period especially with containment measures by practicing healthy lifestyle and adhering to the outlined guidelines.

He said, “Many do not have access to information. They see COVID-19 as a white-man disease especially in rural areas. Citizens must undertake collective and individual responsibilities. There is need for digital inclusion and rigorous advocacy”.

Similarly, Emeritus Chief Physician and a govt. medical Adviser (Denmark), Prof. Ade Ojeniyi, said if citizens were armed with necessary knowledge, it would go a long way in the fight against COVID-19. While appraising the efforts of the front line workers amidst the ravaging crisis, he proffered insights into the the way the virus mutate and the notion about what people think about the virus in western world and African countries.

Another expert, Medical Director, Peoples health foundation, Dr. Cal Amayo said there is need to get everyone involved so as to overcome the long effect it might take on citizens, saying “there’s need to fight against the virus or live with the virus in peace.” While applauding the government for its early containment strategies, he urged citizens to take responsibility at this critical junction. He said, “fighting this virus is one way we must adopt, citizens must also be mindful of news and information shared around”.

Also, the Chief Operating Officer, Tony Isama stressed that there’s need to consciously raise the awareness and also there’s need to encourage the leadership of the health professionals, saying that “there is need to raise the level of trust”.

The host, APC Chairman in the Scandinavia countries, Ayoola Lawal, in his remarks, urged Nigeria to also embrace the use of technology in the fight against the ravaging pandemic. While he appraised the efforts of health workers so far, he urged the  citizens to adhere to the laid down rules.