By John Agok,
Senior officials from South Sudan`s National Ministry of Health warned team members of the Expanded Programs for Immunization (EPI) who have not yet received their Covid-19 jabs to get vaccinated immediately or lose their job.
A five – day training which brought together journalists, EPI, communication officers, Boma health for social mobilization and EPI vaccinators ended over the weekend in Juba.
The Health Ministry`s undersecretary Dr. Victoria Anib Majur and the director General for Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU) Dr. Atem Natan said those who will not take the jab will lose their job
“We want the EPI Vaccinators to take the lead in vaccination exercise and be exemplary to the community. You cannot spread the campaign for Covid-19 vaccination while you are not vaccinated yourself,” Said Dr. Anib
Dr. Anib in particular called for heightening of risk communication on Covid-19 in order to quell misinformation, to enable informed decision making, positive behavior change and the maintenance of trust citing the case of Joe Biden being confirmed positive of the disease.
She said that it is significant to leverage risk communication and enhancement of community engagement because of its tested ability seen in their dealing with HIV/AIDS where many patients responded by taking drugs to boost immunity adding that, this can also be applied to Covid -19 Vaccines.
She agreed to term of reference in reviewing the incentives and DSA of Health workers at state level in a to bid match the emerging economic meltdown.
Over 70 participants graduated with certificates.
