When corona virus pandemic was declared in the country in early April, many citizens lacked knowledge about the new virus. Few months after almost every citizen have learnt about the preventive measures of the disease and thinks it’s important to take action.
In a joint press statement from Ministry of Health and UNICEF on Thursday September 3rd, 2020 they said in a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) survey taken on COVID-19 information by the public, 95 per cent of the respondents said they have knowledge about COVID-19 prevention measures and 98 per cent said it is important to apply these measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
“We are very pleased to see that the risk communication strategy has been very successful, everyone knows about COVID-19,” says the South Sudan Minister of Health Hon Elizabeth Achuei.
“With great support from UNICEF and the risk communication partners, we have been doing mass communication in multiple languages through a broad variety of channels to reach every corner of South Sudan. According to the study, we have reached most people with information, but we are not happy until everyone knows about COVID-19.” She added
The statement also said that even though all respondents have taken at least one preventive measure, too many people are still not going about their lives in a safe way.
Several observations throughout the country suggest that people are still in close interaction with each other and not keeping physical distance of at least one meter.
People are shaking hands, sharing meals and only a few are wearing face masks. Although hand washing stations are made available in markets and other frequently visited areas, many people are not using them. And some of these water containers placed do not have water.
UNICEF South Sudan Representative Dr Mohamed Ag Ayoya said “We need more people to use the COVID-19 knowledge they have to take action. I am calling upon trusted members of the communities, such as government officials, religious leaders, teachers and community leaders, to be good role models in their communities through practicing safe behavior, specifically by wearing face masks and maintaining physical distance.”
Although the curve of the spread of the virus has slowed in the country with fewer reports of cases every day, it’s very important for every citizen to keep safe from contracting the disease
