The Organisation for Women in Science for the developing World, University of Uyo Chapter on August 24, 2020, with support from the International Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Research (ICEESR) organized a sensitization programme on COVID-19 with the aim to educate, inform, and enlighten the students and staff on the new coronavirus a.k.a. COVID-19 as well as best practices to stay healthy and safe.
More than 130 persons participated in the programme which featured two major presentations delivered by Dr. Nne-eka Esubok and Dr. Uwemdibuk Ekanem, interactive sessions, and presentation of items. Dr. Nne-eka Esubok, spoke on the mode of transmission, signs, symptoms, and the current global situation, While Dr. Uwemedimbuk Ekanem shared basic facts and rumours about COVID-19 as well as ways of preventing the spread of the disease. She emphasized primary preventive alternatives which include regular handwashing with soap and running water, the use of at least 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer, proper use of face masks, maintaining social distancing as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and reporting suspected cases to appropriate authorities.
The Organisation for Women in Science for the developing World, University of Uyo Chapter and other members of the team
High-point of the programme was the presentation of items to the school management for the control of COVID-19 within the school environment. Items donated included non-medical face masks, hand sanitizers, liquid soaps, running water buckets among others. The event attracted prominent members of the organization in the chapter including: Professor Comfort Etok, Prof. Margaret Bassey, Dr. Helen S. Etuk, Dr. Uduak Ndubuisi, Dr. Jessie Ndem, Dr. Patience Usip, Mrs. Mary Akpan, and Mrs. Enobong David. In a remark, the principal of the school– Mrs. Alice Nyah represented by the Vice-Principal Administration, Mr. Esenam thanked the President of OWSD-UUC, Dr. Atim Johnson and her team for adopting the school for OWSD programmes and promised to strengthen relationship with the organization and effectively utilize the items donated for the safety of students in particular and staff in general.
A quick survey reveals that 97% of the students learned something new and are willing to put into practice what they have learned while 3% were not sure whether coronavirus exists or not.