17th December 2021
Own Correspondent
The Minister of Health and Wellness Edwin G. Dikoloti has warned Batswana and residents of Botswana, that COVID-19 cases are on the rise over the festive period and that there is a new variant whose implication and impact local medical professionals are yet to determine.
“As a result, our special message to Batswana and residents of this country is packaged under the banner, “Ke nna Ke wena, My health my responsibility.” This is a continuation of the Arm Ready campaign that we launched in March this year at the commencement of our national vaccination program,” said Edwin G. Dikoloti, Minister of Health and Wellness.
He said, “We will be conducting this “Ke nna ke Wena,” campaign in partnership with FHI360, who have always stood shoulder to shoulder with us in our journey to not only vaccinate our people but to keep them healthy all the time.”
Dikoloti said the strategy is premised on behavior change communication approach that is the corner stone of COVID-19 Risk Communication and Community Engagement(RCCE).
The approach encourages individuals and communities to introspect and analyse their conduct in relation to adhering to stipulated prevention measures and adopt behaviours that will facilitate prevention of COVID-19 transmission.
“The “Kee nna ke wena,” campaign will run for a period of 3 months from December 2021 to February 2022. We have no doubt that the campaign will help us to promote behavioural change and continue creating demand for COVID-19 vaccines for the unvaccinated. We want to encourage all those eligible for vaccination but are not yet vaccinated, to immediately visit the nearest vaccination site and receive their lifesaving jab,” said Dikoloti.
He said, “We also want to encourage all those who took first dose but are due for second dose, to approach the nearest vaccination site for their second dose.”
Dikoloti encouraged sceptics to vaccinate to protect their loved ones. He also stressed importance of adhering to COVID-19 protocols which involved the washing hands witth cleanwater and soap or sanitizing, wearing masks in public and social distancing.
