Media vital in Community sensitization on the Ebola Virus

———– A Chief Environmental Health Officer says the media is a legitimate partner in disseminating Ebola awareness and preparedness information to the community.

Mr. Emmanuel Phiri said the media plays an important role in sensitizing communities on the symptoms of Ebola and the steps they should take when they suspect an Ebola case.

Mr. Phiri said Public Health Officers must work hand in hand with the media because the media will help health officers to get their messages out to the intended audience, adding that the media is also used as a surveillance plan.

He was speaking at an Ebola awareness and preparedness workshop held at Senanga Safaris in Senanga District.

And speaking earlier, Western Province Principle Nursing Officer (PNO) Thandiwe Lubasi has expressed concern at the high levels of self prescription of drugs among health workers and the community.
Ms. Lubasi said it is worrying that most people do not seek medical treatment but prefer to rush to drugstores whenever they are unwell.

She has since advised people to desist from such acts and wait for a health personnel to prescribe drugs for them, adding that self prescription leads to drug resistance as sometimes people do not buy the right drugs for the conditions they have.