Workshop on Community Leaders’ Involvement in the Prevention of COVID-19 infection held

01 Jul 2022 | 10: 24 pm

Speakers to active Participation of Political and Social Leaders is Essential in the prevention of COVID-19 infection

The experts have commented that the relentless struggle under the dynamic and strong leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to control COVID-19 in Bangladesh has made it possible to reduce the death toll and prevent the social contagion of COVID. But the results would have been better if there had been a coordinated effort by the health department, local administration, law enforcement authorities as well as political and social leaders to prevent this infection. For a time, local political and social leaders have sided with troubled people at the risk of any problem in society. Over time, that social bond weakens. Therefore, in order to keep society changing or the progress of society flowing, a concerted initiative of the governmental and non-governmental joint authorities with the local political and social leaders is required. The above remarks were made by various speakers at a meeting on involvement of community leaders in the prevention of COVID-19 infection in the Chakaria Upazila Parishad Hall of Cox’s Bazar on 30 June 2022.

Upazila Women Vice Chairman Ms. Jasmine Haque Jesse Chowdhury was present as the chief guest at the event organized by ISDE Bangladesh, a non-governmental social development organization and ADAB, the apex NGO network of Bangladesh. Resident Medical Officer of Chakaria Health Complex Dr. Iftekharul Islam Mishuk, was present as the key speakers in the meeting.  Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chakaria Police Station Mohammad Jewel Islam, former panel Chairman of Cox’s Bazar district Council and President of Chakaria Municipality Awami League Jahedul Islam Litu, District Awami League member Aminur Rashid Dulal, Chairman of Chakaria Central Cooperative Society Selim Ullah were present as special guests. The meeting was attended by ISDE Bangladesh Training Coordinator Kamrun Nahar Shampa, Social Worker Sudhir Das, local Government Representative Nazrul Islam, Journalist Nuruddoza, Mamunul Islam Mamun, ISDE Bangladesh’s Upazila Manager Jalal Uddin, ISDE Bangladesh’s Project Officer Asif Nur Hasnat, ISDE Bangladesh’s Training Officer Abdullah Al Fahim and others takes part the discussion. A total of 45 participants including political party leaders, teachers, journalists, public representatives and dignitaries participated in the meeting.

The speakers at the workshop said that the 4th wave of Corona is seen again. The number of victims is constantly increasing. Although covid infection prevention committees have been formed at the district and upazila level to prevent COVID, the work of this committee on paper is practically ineffective. The role of local political and social leaders in preventing COVID-19 infection is very important. Community leaders can play an important role in raising awareness about COVID among the general public. There is no substitute for maxi wear, maintaining social distance, avoiding public gatherings, and frequent hand washing to prevent COVID infection. Everyone must take the Covid-19 vaccine at the same time. Caution should be exercised about the subsequent symptoms of the tick. All kinds of rumors and bad reforms should be avoided. Every political and social leader is urged to work in a coordinated manner to raise awareness about Corona from their respective positions.

This is noted the workshop was organized to make community leaders aware of the risks and dangers of corona under the Covid-19 infection prevention, communication integration and vaccine communication strengthening project and to enable them to work locally among others.