Mercy Corps, Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has organised a two-day training for media practitioners and information officers on management of ‘mis and disinformation’ relating to COVID-19 pandemic.
The Mercy Corps Acting Programme Manager, Mrs Kauna Sugabkya explained some of the objectives at opening of the workshop on Monday in Damaturu.
She said it was meant improve community leaders and health workers’ capacity, to provide accurate information and address misinformation around COVID-19 vaccines.
She added that the workshop was also meant increase community participation and accountability in the equitable access, distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines.
She said it would also strengthen community engagement in preventing and responding to COVID-19 among others.
Sugabkya said the 12 months programme was taking place in four local government of the state, which were Nguru, Bade, Damaturu, Potiskum.
Also speaking, Miss Dorathy Okaba, the Communication Assistant highlighted some issues caused by mis/disinformation and rumors.
She said it heightened fear, uncertainty, anxiety, stress, worries, increased distrust and exacerbated spread of the disease.
She explained that infodemic leads to mistrust in health authorities and undermined the public health response.
“An infodemic can intensify or lengthen outbreaks when people are unsure about what they need to do to protect their health and the health of people around them.”, he said.
