Ministry of Health commissions Red Cross volunteers for Manzini gate-to-gate campaign on COVID-19
The commissioning involved finalizing all logistics before volunteers engage the communities experiencing cluster transmission in the region.
The Ministry of Health in collaboration with partners including WHO, UNICEF, EGPAF, Manzini Town Council and Red Cross officially commissioned a group of 60 Red Cross volunteers who will engage residents of Manzini on COVID-19 prevention. The commissioning follows a training of the group by the Risk Communication team after identifying the need to engage people from Manzini in extensive interpersonal communication to try and curb the spread of COVID-19 which is rife in the region.
The commissioning involved finalizing all logistics before volunteers engage the communities experiencing cluster transmission in the region. Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health and the Manzini region, Matron Albert Tfwala thanked the volunteers in advance for the great job they were about to do in the Manzini region. "Go yee therefore and make the people of Manzini safe from Covid-19," remarked Matron Thwala as the volunteers were getting ready to commence with the campaign.
"Go yee therefore and make the people of Manzini safe from Covid-19."
During the commissioning, volunteers were given an overview of the campaign and what is expected of them on the field. The highly interactive exercise involved reminding volunteers of the key messages they will share with the communities regarding social distancing, wearing of masks and appropriate handwashing amongst other things.
The group was divided into several smaller groups which were assigned the identified hotspots where they will be going door to door engaging residents on COVID-19. The Manzini Town Council also urged volunteers to practice all safety precautions and stay safe as they embark on this exercise.
Subsequent to the commissioning, the group will commence with the campaign for a period of two weeks engaging residents in the COVID-19 hotspots which include Ngwane Park, Fairview, Moneni, Mpholi and Ngculwini amongst others. The Ministry of health, Red Cross, WHO and UNICEF will also support monitoring of this activity to be able to address any challenges that the volunteers may face as they conduct the exercise.
