By Josephine Nyeweah in Kenema district
Local authorities in Kenema district, comprised of chiefs, civil society organizations, bike riders, motor drivers, the media, women groups, and religious leaders, among others, have called on the government to give great attention to the treatment of rabies infection in the communities.
A section chief from Nongowa chiefdom, speaking on behalf of all in attendance, disclosed that the report of dog bites in society is alarming and that most of the victims end up dying for lack of access to the required medical attention, pointing out that most of the medications in the community are either not good, expired, substandard, or fake that they administer to patients.
This appeal came out during a two-day communication campaign training at the South Lambayama conference hall along Wahman Abu Road in Kenema on dog bites and rabies.
Addressing participants, John Idrisa Koroma, Senior Program Officer for Breakthrough Action Sierra Leone, disclosed that the two-month training is going on in three districts: Kenema, Koinadugu, and Bombali districts, because of the prevalence of dog bites.
He pointed out that the government of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), with support from the American People through Break Through Action, are implementing the project for the next two, and there is a possibility of extension.
Mohamed S. Bah, National Rabies Control Focal Person for Sierra Leone, Livestock Ventinary Services Division in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, disclosed that in Kenema district, Lower Bambara, Nongowa, and Small Bo chiefdoms are more prevalent in terms of dog bites and rabies infection.
He referred to the stakeholders, mobilizers, and supervisors as ambassadors of the program by ensuring that everyone in society is informed about rabies.
Mobilizers and supervisors were provided with the required support, like rain gear, IEC materials, and jackets, among others, for the work.
