By Cordelia Agbo
The National Orientation Agency, NOA in conjunction with the UNICEF support Project has organised an alliance-building sensitization programme with selected market executives on COVAX Vaccine update and essential family practices (EFPs) in Abakaliki the Ebonyi state capital.
Speaking, the State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Ebonyi State, Dr Onwo Desmond called on the people of the state, especially Market Leaders Associations to ensure that there is total compliance of their members and others coming to the market in receiving the covid-19 vaccine to maintain good and healthy living.
Represented by Mr Theophilus Nwokpor, at the Planning, Research and Strategy on the implementation of action plans toward the effective intake of the vaccine, the state Director said the move was to reach out to different Market Association leaders towards ensuring that their members and customers were effectively vaccinated against the Covid-19 scourge.
Also speaking during the programme, one of the resource persons, Dr Emma Abah informed the participants that COVID-19 which is a coronavirus disease was caused by a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that has not been previously identified in humans.
He disclosed that it was first reported to World Health Organisation (WHO) on the 31st December 2019 in Wuhan, China.
Dr Abah said some of the symptoms of COVID-19 include; Cough,
Fever, shivering /shaking (chills), body pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, difficulty in breathing/shortness of breath, Diarrhoea/abdominal pain, runny nose/catarrh, and Fatigue (tiredness) among others.
He said that to reduce the risk of infection or spread of COVID-19, people are advised to adhere to the certain protocols through hand and respiratory hygiene measures, such as the washing of hands regularly with soap in running water or use of an alcohol-based sanitiser in the absence of water and soap.
Dr Abah advised the proper use of a non-medical face mask in covering both the mouth and nose while in public places, adopting the practice of no-touch greetings, and maintaining at least 2 metres physical distance between the next person.
“Distance yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing, avoid crowded places and maintain the NCDC recommended protocols if you must visit public places,” he said.
He informed the people that the good thing about the virus was that vaccines have been discovered and are now being administered in the state for free by Ebonyi state primary health care development agency (EBPHCDA) in some designated health centres such as MCH Azuiyiokwu, PHC Nsugbe, etc.
He informed the market leaders that they can invite EB- PHCDA to their different markets to administer the vaccine to marketers and others.
Dr Emma Abah went further to inform them that the vaccination was free and effective. He said that for one to take a complete dose, he/she must take the first, the second dose and can go for a booster dose. This he said will help the person not to experience severe symptoms and it will be easier for him/her to treat if one contracts the virus, most importantly the person may not die from the virus.
Also, speaking on “Having a functional toilet in the market” during the programme, the second resource person, Elder Ude Agwu urges the market leaders to ensure they construct a functional toilet in each of the markets. He stressed that this will reduce a lot of diseases and also attract customers to their markets.
A market leader, Mr Nwani Okafor who is the chairman of Eke Aba Market Association, Abakaliki thanked NOA and UNICEF for the opportunity to learn so many new things, especially about the COVID-19 vaccine. He promised to mobilize his members and others to go and take the vaccine.
Mr Nwani enjoined Ebonyi State's ministry of health to liaise with different market leaders for this type of enlightenment and vaccination saying that life is more important than any money one can ever make on earth.
Others who spoke during the programme include Ngozi Rowland Chukwuma from Ebonyi state Ministry of Health, Chinenye Azu Udu SOMTEC programme officer from Ebonyi state ministry of information and state orientation and other SOMTEC members.
