According to the World Health Organization, the Coronavirus COVID-19 is a Global pandemic and has ravaged over one hundred and fifty countries. The entire world is facing the challenge and governments Globally of which Sierra Leone is no exception are taking all necessary measures to contain the virus from spreading.
The coronavirus is dangerous and the situation at the global level is critical. Hand hygiene and social distancing are some of the precautionary measures in preventing the virus to transmit.
It is against this backdrop that the Produce Monitoring Board led by the Executive Chairman Dr. James Vibbi on the 28th of March, 2020 donated hand washing materials including veronica buckets and soap to forty Cocoa Cooperatives, Palm Oil Sellers Association and Fish Sellers Association in Kenema and three other partners.
Presenting the buckets to the Cocoa Cooperatives, the Director Produce Monitoring Board Didan Sankoh said the leadership of PMB Dr. James Vibbi is seriously concerned about the welfare of farmers and will want to see them protected from the Coronavirus.
He encouraged the farmers to adhere to the precautionary measures outlined by the Ministry of Health such as regular hand hygiene, social distancing, and use of hand sanitizers among others.
The District Infection Control Supervisor of the District Health Management Team (DHMT) Kenema, Issa French was part of the presentation and re-echoed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to awareness-raising on Coronavirus preventive measures.
He spoke of some of the signs and symptoms of Coronavirus which include, coughing, sneezing and running nose, fever among others. He called on the participants to immediately report to the nearest health facility if any of these signs manifest.
Mr. French called on the participants to adhere to the precautionary measures of Coronavirus by regular hand washing, avoid crowd, keep a social distance, avoid touching the face.
Mrs. Yatta Samah, a female participant and chairlady of Moawoma Women’s Cocoa Farmers’ Cooperative said‘I am commending PMB for the Veronica buckets, I promise to utilize it for the intended purpose while educating colleagues about preventive methods against the deadly Corona19 virus”.
A male participant from Tegloma Cocoa Cooperatives Alycious Ngegba said, ‘I am overwhelmed with joy having received Veronica buckets and knowledge about the prevention of Corona19 virus, this is timely, I am going to replicate knowledge gained to my Cooperative members upon my arrival in Kailahun’.
Beneficiaries from other Cooperatives, partners and two market Associations made similar submissions.