Freetown, Sierra Leone – This day, senior media executives gathered for a principal meeting convened by the Nationwide Public Health Agency (NPHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen Sierra Leone’s response to the ongoing mpox outbreak. With over 4,000 conditions reported, the meeting underscored the principal feature of the media as challenging partners in halting the unfold of this preventable illness.
Mpox essentially spreads by technique of shut physical contact, but its influence is magnified by concern, misinformation, and silence. Whereas effectively being workers continue to love patients and contain the virus, relied on media voices are severe in tackling stigma, educating communities, and driving suggested circulation.
“You and the media homes you lead are viewed partners in the nationwide response to this lethal but treatable illness,” emphasised Dr George Ameh, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone. “The public trusts your verbalize. Via your platforms, we are in a position to confront rumours, dispel concern, and bring accurate, existence-saving information.”
From radio capabilities addressing myths to tv interviews explaining preventive measures and articles urging early care-seeking, the media’s attain can determine the inequity between containing the outbreak and allowing it to escalate.
During the meeting, contributors bought the most up-to-date updates on mpox transmission and the nationwide response led by the Authorities, WHO, and partners. Discussions fascinated with strengthening collaboration to be certain that communities are better informed, empowered to look care promptly, isolate when principal, and call effectively being hotlines without concern or stigma.
“Outbreaks begin and finish in communities,” famed the NPHA Deputy Director Dr. Mohamed Vandi, a reminder that defeating mpox depends on collective circulation. The media’s skill to foster belief, attain diverse audiences, and back circulation is indispensable in breaking the chain of transmission.
As a key final result of the meeting, the media has taken a proactive stance in supporting mpox messaging. Media homes dedicated to offering free airtime for focus on reveals, DJ mentions, and jingles to intention shut awareness. These initiatives are already underway, reflecting the sector’s stable commitment to the response. Moreover, a dedicated WhatsApp community has been established to facilitate trendy verbal replace, enabling media partners to receive and share up-to-date, accurate mpox information with their audiences.
Whereas case numbers might well presumably very effectively be declining, the meeting reinforced that the fight is now no longer yet over. Sustaining growth requires vigilance and informed communities working together to offer protection to every household and neighbourhood.
The gathering highlights the media’s severe feature in keeping communities informed and halting the unfold of mpox. With accurate information in relied on hands, Sierra Leone can sustain the growth made and finish this outbreak.
