Group begins campaign to combat coronavirus in South-East.

A group, South-East Coronavirus Intervention Network (SCIN) on Tuesday commenced an awareness and advocacy campaign on the coronavirus pandemic, in a bid to prevent the spread of the disease in the South-East.

The campaign, launched in Owerri, is expected to focus on rural communities to enlighten rural dwellers on the dangers of the disease.

Speaking at a news conference to flag off the campaign, the Coordinator of SCIN, Mr Meekam Mgbenwelu, said the group had leveraged on the communication protocols of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

He said the greatest challenge inhibiting the fight against the pandemic in the South-East was poor communication in rural communities.

According to him, SCIN will strengthen awareness in various communities in the South-East on preparedness, prevention and combating of the deadly virus.

Mgbenwelu said the group was partnering with Ford Foundation to carry out the initiative.

The coordinator said the group was worried over the rising cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria, which according to him, is made worse by poor awareness and advocacy.

He said the group would use a range of channels, including radio jingles, social media and other platforms to break the jinx of poor COVID-19 awareness in the South-East.

“We are worried about the continued spread of the virus. We want to involve a large pool of dedicated volunteers in each of the eastern states to help facilitate the campaign.

“The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nigeria was announced on Feb. 27 but since then the virus has continued to spread with those living in local communities as the most vulnerable.”

He commended NCDC for the measures the agency had put in place to check the spread of COVID-19.