On 22 June 2021, more than 20 local journalists gathered at the Ministry of Health, Centre of Communication and Education for Health (CCEH) to receive an update on the current COVID-19 situation. Many of them were interested to understand more about the lockdown and what has been done to stop transmission and end the outbreak.
The event is funded by European Union (EU) under the “South East Asia Health Pandemic Response and Preparedness Project”. Mr. Visith Khamleusa, Director of CCEH chaired the briefing with Dr. Bouathep Phoumindr, Deputy Director-General of Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation (DHR) and Dr. Bouaphanh Khamphaphongphan, Deputy Director of National Center of Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE).
Mr Khamleusa said: “Since the start of the pandemic, the media has played a supportive role to the Ministry of Health in providing timely and accurate information to the general public and relaying the Government’s decision and response. The exchange with media in an open and reflective discussion will engage them to work together with the ministry to end the pandemic together.”
Mr. Visith Khamleusa, Director of Center of Communication and Education for Health emphasizes the role of media in providing timely and accurate messages to the general public
Dr. Khamphaphongphan updated the journalists on changes to the COVID-19 testing strategy, contact tracing and specimen collection in high-risk locations.
While discussing on the use of preventive measures to reduce transmission, she added that “It is not easy to change someone’s behavior, especially young people who continue to remain active and mobile during the lockdown period. Even at some of the quarantine facilities, young people tend to gather in common areas, which may increase the risk of transmission at these places.”
Dr. Bouaphanh Khamphaphongphan, Deputy Director of National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology answered questions on COVID-19 testing strategy.
Data shows that most of the positive COVID-19 cases were among young people aged 20-39 years old. While public fear over COVID-19 remains, this has not translated to behavioural change.
Dr. Phoumindr discussed on COVID-19 case management in areas of hospital preparation, quarantine and isolation facilities, COVID-19 treatment, mental health issues of COVID-19 patients and responders, and topics like discrimination and stigmatization. She said “COVID-19 has affected and impacted our lives. I worked with healthcare workers and frontline responders. We try to support them by providing training and counselling on mental health.”
During these times, people without a stable job and income may face higher levels of stress, with increasing worries about their finances, since there are less choices in terms of work and employment.
Dr. Bouathep Phoumin, Deputy Director-General of Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation highlighted issues of discrimination, stigmatization and mental health to the media.
COVID-19 highlighted the problem of stigmatisation and social discrimination. People who tested positive are often blamed for spreading COVID-19. This has made high-risk groups or close contacts of positive cases often reluctant to come forward and get tested. For recovered COVID-19 patients, getting back to a normal life has also not been easy.
During these challenging times, the media needs to call for more empathy and solidarity since our collective health is based on individual actions and everyone has to play their part if we are to end this pandemic together.