WITH new COVID-19 cases passing the 14,000 mark and after more than 100 deaths, Save the Children is deeply concerned that misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines is stopping people in Papua New Guinea from getting vaccinated.
Save the Children believes that greater community engagement and information sharing is needed to combat the misinformation and prevent vaccine hesitancy in the community.
Recently, the Save the Children team, together with the local health authority, youth and women’s representatives travelled to the Kadawa in Daru, Western Province to speak about COVID-19.
Kadawa is a 20-minute boat ride from the Daru township with a population of between 800 – 1000 people. A community whose main source of income is from selling fish and seafood. One also where having multiple families living under one roof is grave concern with the current increasing COVID trend.
Leading the team was Rudolph Taubuso who works as a Training Coordinator with Save the Children’s eLearning project in Daru. Rudolph pointed out that having a handful of people living together in a confined space was very risky.
“If someone from a household like this is infected, it would be tragic.”
He said, “We’re encouraging everyone in the community to practice the ‘niupela pasin’ (new normal) by wearing your facemask, washing your hands with soap and water, and keeping social distance because COVID-19 is very real.”
“Personally, I will not hesitate to take the vaccine and will ensure my family does the same, so we’re protected from COVID-19. People should stop reading and believing in social media. The fact is that COVID-19 is killing millions of people around the world. And just like any other disease or virus you need vaccines to protect yourself against them,” he explained.
Obituri Women’s Local Level Government Council representative Isabel Kebei highlighted that the correct information must be shared.
“If we give out correct information, this will minimize the spread of COVID-19 and people will understand better.”
She explained also that the vaccine will reduce the chance of people suffering from COVID-19 virus.
Kebei is concerned that if people continue listening to the lies and rumors, they won’t be concerned about practicing the preventive measures and won’t want to take the vaccine – there will be a health catastrophe in Daru.
She thanked organizations like Save the Children who were working to make a difference in the province.
“I thank Save the Children for recognizing the women’s council, and including us in the awareness program, and for your work in Daru,” she said.
Local Christian Youth leader James Terry encouraged people to have a positive mindset and for youth to lead by example in wearing facemasks and practicing the ‘niupela pasin’.
“COVID-19 isn’t going away any time soon but if work together, we can stop it,” he said.
In addition to community engagement, Save the Children is running messaging on radio about practicing the ‘niupela pasin’.