ACOD ON EBOLA PREVENTION TRAINING WITH NATURAL LEADERS IN LOKOMASAMA By Hassan Bruz Northern Bureau Chief Action For Community Development [ACOD] - a Non Government Organisation operating in the Lokomasama Chiefdom is one of the latest set of Organisations in the Northern District of Port Loko to adhere to the clarion call of His Excellency- President Ernest Bai Koroma which says all well meaning groups and individuals should join in the fight against the Ebola Killer Disease in the Country. The Management of this Organisation has therefore come in handy to organise a two day training programme for Natural Leaders in Lokomasama Chiefdom on the prevention of Ebola. It would worth your while to know that Lokomasama is a sister Chiefdom to the gateway Chiefdom of Kaffu Bullom which hosts the international Airport Town of Lungi. Lokomasama is one of the most reliable rice producing areas and remain highly populated Chiefdom. James B S Koroma is the Director of the Action for Community Development. He said his Management has opted to intervene even without the usual support from Donor Partners principally because Lokomasama is their operational Area for the past several years. He said they would not idly stand by and allow the People to be ravaged by the Ebola Killer Disease. He observed in his opening remarks that the virus has claimed so many lives and at a very high speed because of the fear and misconceptions the disease is used to be associated with. The Director said even though the virus is aggressively active, yet it is also very fragile if only people could abide to the dictates of personal hygiene. He spoke of the frantic efforts by the Government of President Ernest Bai Koroma such as the provision of Ambulances for the transportation of Ebola Patients to Treatment Centres, the provision of free treatment to such persons, the setting up of Ebola Screening Check Points and Burial Teams. He stressed the need for People to go to Hospitals and make use of the facilities as early treatment will increase the chances of one to survival of the disease. The Programme Supervisor- Abdul Bangura in his presentation noted that the issue of hand washing is nothing new for the People of Lokomasama and that the series of hygiene training they have had in the past should be enough to help them get rid of Ebola in the respective Communities. He said People should now be able to dismiss the baseless rumours that Health Workers were of the habit of injecting and killing Ebola Patients in Hospitals. He said Ebola is not a Political issue and People should see the need to go Health Facilities for Treatment whenever they become unwell. According to ACOD’s Programme Manager , there will be a lot of Economic and several other setbacks in the Country, if immediate and drastic measures were not adopted to combat the spread of this killer disease. He said high fever, vomiting, diarrhoea; bleeding, skin rash, muscle or joint pains are some of the signs and symptoms of Ebola. Manfred Musa said the Virus is not capable of transmitting or infecting another person until the above signs and symptoms are shown on the person already carrying the virus. He said the incubation period for the Ebola signs to become visible is between 2 to 21 days. Mr. Conteh is the Finance Officer of Action for Community Development and doubled as one of the Facilitators for the Training. In his contribution, he stressed the need for the Locals to help themselves by refraining from some of their age old cultural and traditional practices in support of the fight against the Ebola Virus particularly the shake of hands pattern of greetings. The 2 Day Training which attracted Stakeholders from every Section in the Lokomasama Chiefdom including Chiefs, Security Personnel, Women and Youths’ representatives, ended with emphasis on some keys ways to prevent Ebola infection. The Principal one is for one to maintain personal hygiene such as the wash of hands after touching a sick person. Participants were also advised to refrain from unprotected contact as well as the eating of fruits that have been partly eaten by Bats and other Wild Animals. They were further advised to report all cases of persons suspected to have died of Ebola and not to either touch or bury an Ebola Corpse. As contained in the closing remarks of the Director of ACOD, early treatment can increase one’s chances of surviving the disease and that those who survive it should be encouraged to re enter the community without stigmatisation. The efforts of the Management of Action for Community Development were praised by the Paramount Chief’s representatives at Paitefu and Kalangba Junctions where the Trainings were separately conducted. You now have the opportunity to glance at some of the Photos of those in attendance.....
Posted on: Sat, 04 Oct 2014 10:24:28 +0000
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