Kiran: Need for more awareness

THERE is a need to carry out mass awareness for people living in the NadiLautoka containment area so they would be able to understand the seriousness of the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, says

Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development (FRIEND) director Sashi Kiran.

“There needs to be vernacular language awareness and education programs to remind people about the basics and dangers of the disease as well,” Ms Kiran said.

“People need to be reminded on how some countries like Papua New Guinea and India are losing battle with the disease and to put in focus the potential risks.

“We live communally and we don’t think all the behaviour changes and changes in protocols at home and in communities have sunk in like not sharing of cigarettes, kava and mingling in the public.”

Ms Kiran said they were also concerned about transmission risks and had asked their staff members to operate from home to minimise public transportation use.

She, however, stated their teams would be available on the phone to help with food where needs were and to provide medications if people could not afford their hospital prescriptions.

Ms Kiran added there would be very strict protocols on collection of food and medication.

There needs to be vernacular language awareness and education programs to remind people about the basics and dangers of the disease as well – Sashi Kiran