Human Rights Commission Calls For Increased Covid-19 Awareness Funding

The Human Rights Commission has called for increased funding to help raise community awareness of Covid-19 and bring about behavioural changes that will benefit public health. 

The Commission has observed that there is little compliance with the health regulations and presidential directives regarding the coronavirus, particularly in suburban and rural areas where misinformation about the virus spreads quickly. 

Commission spokesperson Mwelwa Muleya said it was concerning that, despite daily figures released on the number of people testing positive for Covid-19, people are still claiming that there is no coronavirus in Zambia and that the statistics are a fundraising venture. 

Mr Muleya said this kind of misinformation is endangering the health and wellbeing of many Zambians as it persuades them to lower their guard against the virus. 

He called on the government to redress the situation through a public information campaign and community awareness activities. 

In particular, the Commission has observed little evidence of hand washing and social distancing among street traders and buyers in markets, which poses a serious risk of spreading the disease.

Mr Muleya said that should a case of Covid-19 be confirmed in these circumstances, it would be almost impossible to trace all the contacts of street vendors and market traders. 

He concluded by commending the ongoing efforts of health workers and hoped that the government would do more to reduce the worrying number of doctors and nurses being infected with the virus. 

Soweto Market in Lusaka