Video: WHO to help communities protect against coronavirus

Energy Wednesday 26/February/2020 14:58 PM
By: Times News Service

Muscat: Communities in Oman and other countries in the Middle East will be taught by the World Health Organization and their regional partners to keep themselves safe from potential coronavirus infections.

Dr Ahmed Al Mandhari, who serves as the Regional Director for the WHO’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), held a meeting with healthcare officials from countries in the region, in which he charted the measures that needed to be followed to stop the spread of COVID-19.

“We will maintain transparency in handing information about COVID-19 and will continue to work closely with ministries of health and partners to enhance outbreak preparedness and response capacity,” he said. “We will also educate communities on how to protect themselves from COVID-19"

“Although there are confirmed case reports from the region that may cause concern, the WHO’s Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), these also highlight a positive aspect by showing that existing systems for detecting and responding to potential situations are working effectively,” added Al Mandhari.

During the meeting, he also asked people to not show prejudice against or fear of those suffering from the disease, and requested a stop to the spreading of rumours around COVID-19.

“Unfortunately, we hear a lot of rumours and false information that are being circulated, which are not only false, but can have negative consequences for people's health and recovery,” said Al Mandhari. “We are also witnessing a lot of stigma and discrimination against the affected people and countries. This must stop now!”

The WHO’s EMRO serves 22 territories, including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE and Yemen.

To help prevent the spread of coronavirus, and to help those who are infected, the WHO EMRO is shipping supplies to countries across the six WHO regions worldwide, that have reported cases of the disease. A statement from the WHO EMRO said: “WHO’s logistics hub in Dubai International Humanitarian City is playing a central role in ensuring that countries across the globe are receiving the supplies they need to prepare for and respond to possible cases of COVID-19

“So far, all countries in the WHO EMRO region have been provided with lab reagents, personal protective equipment, surgical gowns and other supplies,” said the statement