1. Health awareness campaigns are organized efforts designed to inform and educate the public about specific health issues, diseases, or conditions. These campaigns aim to increase knowledge and change attitudes among the general public. They are also conducted with the aim of encouraging behaviors that promote better health outcomes. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the mpox virus, which is related to the smallpox virus. The disease is primarily found in central and West African countries but has recently recorded outbreaks in other parts of the world.
2. In view of containing the disease and curtailing the possible spread of mpox among NN personnel and their family members, NHQ directed all Comds and Autonomous units to conduct health awareness campaigns. On Sat 24 Aug 24 ENC conducted a health awareness campaign on MPOX which held in barracks within Calabar General area. The programme which was coordinated by NNRH Calabar, commenced at about 0900 with several health talks on the disease given by participants and distribution of educational materials.
3. NNRH Calabar was tasked to coordinate the Exercise and in compliance, resource persons were drawn from personnel of the Public Health Department.
4. The Campaign Team departed NNRH Calabar at about 0900 for NN Officers’ Quarters, Ikot Ansa. while enroute, the attention of the public was drawn with music on loud speakers as well as voice input from the medical staff.
5. The team witnessed a large target population at 1006 Officers Quarters Calabar and NN Barracks Akim. After the campaign at Akim Barracks, the team departed for NN Barracks Atimbo. On completion at the last visited barracks, the campaign team returned to NNRH Calabar at about 1158.
6. During the Exercise, awareness talks were given by several Public Health personnel as well as NYSC members serving with the NN. Awareness hand bills were also distributed to individuals. Highlights were given on the origin of mpox as well as the current world distribution/ epidemiology status of the disease. The Campaign team also communicated to the target audience the modes of transmission as well as signs and symptoms of mpox. Personnel and their families were encouraged to adopt various preventive measures to curtail the spread of the disease. They were also urged to as a matter of emergency, report any suspected cases. Educational pamphlets were distributed extensively during the course of the Exercise.
Relevant pictures attached. #OnwardTogether