Rigorous community engagement a must to fight Covid-19

Speakers at an online dialogue yesterday stressed the need for rigorous involvement of local communities in fighting coronavirus spread across the country.

Bangladesh chapter of The Hunger Project, a global charitable organisation committed to sustainable end of world hunger, organised the virtual dialogue on "Coronavirus Resilient Villages: Interactions with Community Volunteers", said a press release.

Addressing the dialogue, noted public health expert Prof M Muzaherul Huq said, "Fighting coronavirus is not possible without the community's involvement."

He said works needed to be executed properly after involving communities in the containment initiatives.

Those who developed mild Covid-19 symptoms have to be isolated at home while those with moderate symptoms should be shifted to upazila health complexes, he added.

Referring to a method followed in India's Kerala, The Hunger Project Country Director Badiul Alam Majumdar said authorities there achieved success in fighting the virus and reasons for the success was local government's role and community involvement.

He said at the beginning of the coronavirus spread, "rapid responder" teams headed by elected members were formed at each ward under village panchayat, a form of local government system in India.

Health workers, volunteers and panchayat staffers were included in the teams. Broadly, the team members worked on three fronts-- communication, coordination and community involvement, he said.

As part of communication, they generated awareness among people about hand washing, health guidelines, use of face masks and necessity of social distancing, he added.

Badiul, also a noted good governance campaigner, said volunteers under The Hunger Project in Bangladesh were working on various grounds in fighting the pandemic involving local communities.