Covid-19 awareness raising campaign ad on a tuk-tuk in Siem Reap province. SIEM REAP PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION
A senior Ministry of Health official has urged local authorities to disseminate all information regarding preventive health measures to prevent large-scale community transmission of Covid-19 and other contagious diseases.
Ministry spokeswoman Or Vandine, who is also head of the national Covid-19 vaccination committee, said on August 24 that all levels of authority had to work hard to educate and protect people from Covid-19.
“The roles of communities in preventing the transmission of Covid-19 are one of the key strategies set by the government. They have a very important role in spreading the word, educating and implementing all health measures,” she said.
Vandine said community participation was indispensable in the fight against Covid-19. Joint responsibility is an important task for Cambodians to fight the disease, especially in the context of Covid-19 as it is circulating throughout the country.
“We need to make a strong community system that improves the health of people and encourage individual participation. Families and communities also have to take joint responsibility in preventing local transmissions,” she said.
Vandine added that local authorities have to use existing systems such as village health support groups, women and children’s advisory committees, commune councils, and other community heads to ensure the implementation of measures is consistent and supportive.
Long Sothear, a volunteer in the fight against Covid-19 in Takeo province, said he was satisfied with the work as it is not only for him and his family but also for public health and a return to normalcy.
“It is a new job for me, but it is not difficult. I am happy to join with authorities in spreading the word and educating people in rural areas and other places about prevention and fighting against Covid-19,” he said.
Sothear added that almost everybody understood virus prevention, because when he or village chiefs asked them about how to prevent it, they know the correct answers. This was good for reducing transmission.
On August 16, the health ministry launched the promotional campaign with the theme “Preventing the Spread of Covid-19 is Everybody’s Responsibility”.
“Educating people about being aware of the risks of Covid-19 and to be responsible for protecting themselves, their families and communities is very important and is work that we have done in the past,” minister Mam Bun Heng said during the launch.
