Politics
THE federal government, through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC and UNICEF, working with Centre for Communication and Social Impact, CCSI, and partners, launched the ‘POWERFUL H.A.N.D.S Campaign’ in line with efforts to sustain response activities.
The H.A.N.D.S campaign is an integrated, innovative and engaging social and behaviour change, SBC, initiative, supported by the United Nations in Nigeria and the European Union to stimulate collective action to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
Using H.A.N.D.S as an acronym, the five key actions are presented in a simple, easy-to-recall, manner:
o H – Have your hands washed or sanitized frequently.
o A – Always cough or sneeze into your elbow.
o N – No going out without a face mask.
o D – Distance of at least two arm’s length should be maintained.
o S – Stay indoors and self-isolate if you feel sick.
The campaign has been tagged the POWERFUL H.A.N.D.S campaign; with the tagline “The Power to Stop COVID-19 is in Our Hands”.
- The goal of the campaign is to increase the number of Nigerians who believe in and practice COVID-19 preventive behaviours.
- The specific objective is to develop, change and sustain behaviours, including handwashing with soap, wearing a face mask, using alchohol-based hand sanitiser and physical distancing, to prevent further spread of COVID-19, through enhancing risk perception and building confidence on the preventive behaviours.
Roles of the media in the campaign
- Remind the public of where to access reliable and factualinformation on COVID-19.
- Make a conscious effort to unite and not divide the populace by spreading correct information in a timely and responsive manner.
- Provide timely information that addresses urgency of the situation in order to avert the emergence of a potentially fatal wave of the pandemic; a situation already being experienced in other countries.
- Curate context specific information that will be relevant to the different audience segments across Nigeria.
- Share information on community led self-help groups that are working to fill any gap to provide support and care when needed.
- Liaise with the authorities to address real fears, concerns, anxieties and perceptions of the public.
- Get connected to only credible information for health authorities such as the NCDC, World Health Organisation and Federal Ministry of Health.
- Serve as a bridge for people to access information required to seek care and connect them with their local authorities.
- Avoid presenting news and information in a way that appears to politicize COVID 19 issues.
Draw a clear line between scientific, religious and political statements.
- Showcase stories of COVID-19 heroes; anyone doing all they can to contribute to the fight against the pandemic.
- Showcase approved and recognized local research work that builds a case and supports the management of the pandemic in Nigeria.
Partnerships
- United Nations Basket Fund in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, with support from the European Union.
It will be recalled that on the 27th of February 2020, Nigeria detected her first case of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, the first reported case in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- With over 160,000 cases recorded in Nigeria as of 17th May 2021, and resurgence of cases globally, the NCDC continues to work with relevant government institutions and partners, under the Presidential Steering Committee, PSC, to mitigate the risk of a spike in new cases.
– May 19, 2021 @ 18:19 GMT
Tags: Nigeria launches ‘Powerful H.A.N.D.S campaign
