BBC Media Action is currently helping radio stations across Sierra Leone with their response to the cholera outbreak, in terms of reporting and providing critical information.
The cholera outbreak in Sierra Leone made international headlines over the weekend when the president declared a national emergency. Since January, more than 200 people have died.
The district of Kambia on the country's northern border was one of the first places to suffer from the outbreak. In April and May, hundreds of people were affected and five died.
Back then, I spoke to Pa Alie Turay from Bamoi, a market centre that attracts people from all over the country, and even neighbouring Guinea. He told me: "We are dying from cholera because the water we drink here is from water wells and streams that are not protected. Our fear is for our children who roam about with little or no protection. We want the media to help us because the health personnel are not taking this issue seriously."
As a station mentor, I suggested that cholera was an issue that Radio Kolenten, the community radio station, should be covering. I helped the journalists gather information and we approached the District Health Management Team.
At first we faced reluctance. "Whenever cholera is discussed, the people will be scared," Health Superintendent Dr Jalloh told us. However, after a lengthy discussion, he agreed to be interviewed.
On air, he said, "We are running out of drugs because of the daily admission of cases. In fact, we had to administer 30 doses of intravenous fluids to one patient who was in a very desperate condition. But unfortunately, the council says there is no health allocation from central government since the start of the year. So we are in dire need of help."
The cholera outbreak in Sierra Leone made international headlines over the weekend when the president declared a national emergency. Since January, more than 200 people have died.
The district of Kambia on the country's northern border was one of the first places to suffer from the outbreak. In April and May, hundreds of people were affected and five died.
Back then, I spoke to Pa Alie Turay from Bamoi, a market centre that attracts people from all over the country, and even neighbouring Guinea. He told me: "We are dying from cholera because the water we drink here is from water wells and streams that are not protected. Our fear is for our children who roam about with little or no protection. We want the media to help us because the health personnel are not taking this issue seriously."
As a station mentor, I suggested that cholera was an issue that Radio Kolenten, the community radio station, should be covering. I helped the journalists gather information and we approached the District Health Management Team.
At first we faced reluctance. "Whenever cholera is discussed, the people will be scared," Health Superintendent Dr Jalloh told us. However, after a lengthy discussion, he agreed to be interviewed.
On air, he said, "We are running out of drugs because of the daily admission of cases. In fact, we had to administer 30 doses of intravenous fluids to one patient who was in a very desperate condition. But unfortunately, the council says there is no health allocation from central government since the start of the year. So we are in dire need of help."
(Source : BBC Media Action)
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