By Francis H. Murray
Deputy Vice Chancellor of Njala University Mokonde Campus, Professor Bashiru Koroma, has lauded the campus’ COVID-19 Taskforce for its work in making sure the university and its environs don’t record a case of the viral disease.
The Mokonde campus is in Moyamba District, Southern region of the country. The district is yet to record a case, despite neighbours Bo having recorded 11.
Following the announcement of the outbreak, the University quickly assembled a task force that comprises of community members and university staff.
As part of its mandate, the taskforce has been engaged in sensitization in communities and manning checkpoints to ensure that hand washing and other government guidelines are followed.
‘’My long term vision is to transform the Njala University COVID-19 Taskforce with the approval of the Administration and Court to a permanent body to take care of all emergencies across the board,’’ Koroma noted.
He made this statement during a meeting on Saturday where he was briefed on the activities of the members of the COVID-19 Taskforce over the last few weeks.
Whiles explaining to the DVC, Dr. Mohamed Koker, Senior Medical Officer, Njala University Mokonde Campus, highlighted the successes of the taskforce.
Dr Koker said the success of the task force included creating synergy among the various stakeholders like the health and security teams. He said they had also successfully monitored checkpoints, kept regular meetings and did radio programs within the Mokonde environs.
Their successes also include community mobilization for which local authorities like chiefs have been instrumental in achieving.
Koker said these successes also came with challenges; a major one being the lack of logistics like vehicles, torchlights, shelter and other basic necessities. He pleaded with the DVC to use his office and get more support for them.
Koker also recommended that university staff who spend time in COVID-19 hotspots be isolated to prevent any future spill over in the case of an outbreak.
Responding to the challenges, Prof. Koroma thanked the COVID-19 Taskforce and assured them of addressing most of the challenges through lobbying with the University administration, adding that discussions were on going to attract possible support at national level for the activities of the campus’ COVID-19 taskforce.
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