Kingston, Jamaica — Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Kevin Harvey says the Ministry of Health has intensified its public education programme on Ebola and will continue to provide information to the media and other stakeholders in a timely manner.
Dr Harvey was speaking today during an Ebola Media Sensitisation Forum held at the offices of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
“Public education is an important aspect of our Preparedness and Response plan. In fact, since last weekend we intensified our media campaign on Ebola in both the electronic and print media. We are also placing increased focus on community level sensitization across the island. We will continue to make ourselves available to the media and others who may require information on Ebola,” Dr Harvey said.
Meanwhile, Minister with Responsibility for Information, Sandrea Falconer pointed out that the media have an important role to play in the communication for Ebola and in ensuring that only proper and factual information is disseminated to the public.
“You will also need to pay close attention to the official information on Ebola, understand clearly what it is and what is at stake. You may have to be on the frontline reporting and so you have to know how to protect yourself and your family,” Minister Falconer told members of the media.
The Ministry of Health’s Ebola guidelines and protocols were circulated and a demonstration on putting on and taking off Personal Protective Equipment was done.