The School Health Department with the support of the Departmental Department of the West and the Communication Office of the Ministry of National Education, organized an information and training session at the Lycée du Cent-Cinquantenaire for the benefit of 300 school principals and inspectors, on the Covid-19 coronavirus and on the key measures to protect against the disease and prevent its spread.

Mainly focused on raising awareness of illness and life-saving actions, the Ministry's approach consists of mobilizing all educational agents, in particular teachers who can act as intermediaries with students to raise awareness of Covid-19 and responsible attitudes to adopt to protect themselves and limit the spread of the disease in the event of its introduction into Haiti.

For Dr Erold Joseph, Director of school health at the ministry, "one should not wonder if the disease will enter to the country but rather when. The only attitude that can help is to follow the advice of the country's health authorities and know how to protect yourself and others from this disease."

Citing some of the key tips ranging from systematic hand washing and new ways to adopt in relation to those around him, notably keeping a reasonable distance of at least 1 meter and avoiding touching his face, Joseph insisted on the the importance of education against the Covid-19 coronavirus and the beneficial protective advice that can help protect against this disease and save family, friends and colleagues.

Several tools have been designed since the publication of the ministerial circular https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30230-haiti-notice-preventive-measures-against-the-risk-of-introduction-of-covid-19.html giving the broad outlines of its action plan to combat Covid-19. In this regard, an information leaflet on the disease and the ministry's instructions serve as a training tool for teachers with students and another text intended for students, in Creole and in French, gives advice on how to protect yourself and protect others.

"By mobilizing the 4 million students in the public and private sectors who can serve as awareness-raising relays with their families, their neighborhood and their city, we can make a difference and save lives," said Miloody Vincent, Communication director of the Ministry.

Louis Fritz Dorminvil, the Departmental Director of the West, recalled that each inspector and coordinator is called upon to replicate this training this week in their west school district.

HL/ HaitiLibre