Thread by @Badrabela

Clearly there has to be a power shift in Somalia for us to to tackle the spread of COV19. Somalis listen to their traditional healers, local health professional, IMAMs &elders. Let them take lead &provide them with information/professional support needed.
africanarguments.org/2020/03/17/wha…

There is a disconnection between the society, people leading responses, and those taking decisions on how to utilize the limited resources we do have. Some practical lessons from Ebola is that when communities were allowed to be part of the responses, the death rate reduced!

In Kailahun District, for example, an intense initial outbreak was reduced to a trickle of cases by local responders organizing quarantine and burial with improvised resources. That cases then declined without outside help implied either that the disease burnt out more readily ..

.....than anticipated, or that local improvisation worked better than expected. There is evidence to support both interpretations. Glynn, Judith R. et al. (2017)

The right communication channels are key. It is very dangerous that COV19 briefs r made through limited channels with less attention given to other means. How much has the gov tried to reach out to the local leaders including the elders, IMAMs &health care providers?

One of the lessons learned from ebola is when people hear messages from familiar faces they trusted it more. We cannot win COV19 by only establishing well equipped facilities in urban cities. All the prevention, mitigation &response means need to be localized wit LOCALS leading.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…

Best practices in this study conducted on the community centered response of ebola include:
Prevention was seen as including six key areas: (1) a sharp increase in the quantity and specificity of community-based training to prevent Ebola infection,

(2) improved hygiene, sanitation, and the distribution of cleaning and protective materials, (3) creating a system of surveillance, (4) safely transporting infected individuals from the community into hospitals and Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs), (5) removal of the dead, and

(6) establishing a community-based infrastructure to care for people who were sick with Ebola.
Communities need to know: 1. What are the key 1st steps to take when someone gets sick 2. How do you do caregiving 3. How do you share it with the neighbours and community surrounding

We need to explore the community/household based quarantine and healthcare system and provide them with necessary trainings and facilities as much as possible. Explore more practical ideas and findings here:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…

Another key documentary to learn from is how Nigeria responded quickly to Ebola. If you often get bored with reading papers just watch the movie 93 days. Africa knows much better others how such situation is dealt with limited resources. LOCALS LEADING IT!

It is time to shift power. People screaming from outside the country through Zoom meetings with #stayhome #washhands won't help Somalia. All available resource should be used to support existing local systems and mobilizing people through their most trusted leaders and channels!

Other sources: Local people have often taken measures into their own hands as governments and agencies fail to respond swiftly enough or to reach remote communities. The video and case studies give some examples of community responses: futurelearn.com/courses/ebola-…

Some other great articles/papers to read include: Social Mobilization Lessons Learned: The Ebola Response in Liberia
healthcommcapacity.org/wp-content/upl…

Women are the first care givers. Why a gender lens needed in COV19 responses:
gavi.org/vaccineswork/w…

Ebola In Remote Liberia, Through The Eyes Of A Local Health Worker
npr.org/sections/goats…

Finally, we have many Somalis who worked with @msf in West Africa. We need to call them back home to learn from them. We need them leading the COV19. Give power back to those who have seen this in other contexts. Politicians and their advisors need to go home and self quarantine!