As part of ongoing efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, the City of Johannesburg’s Region F Environmental health practitioners conducted a door to door campaign among the community of Bellavista ward 55.
Fahaadh Hassani, the City of Johannesburg’s Environmental Health Practitioner, said the aim of Friday’s door to door campaign was to educate residents on Covid-19 and to encourage community members to practice good personal hygiene.
“What I have observed is that community members are scared to take pamphlets and to engage in screening. They were saying we are bringing the coronavirus to them. Other community members had their doors locked.
“Those who opened their houses to City officials were excited and they showed their appreciation,” said Hassani, who added that more education needs to be conducted so that people do not stigmatise those who have tested positive for the virus.
Ward Councillor Rashieda Landis welcomed the City’s health practitioners, the Red Cross South Africa, primary health care staff, community health works who came in numbers to support this initiative.
Stakeholders were divided into six groups. Each group was given a block of flats to conduct door to door health education on personal hygiene, washing of hands and also to practice social distance.
Hassani said the campaign was a success. A total of 301 residents were screened and those who showed signs and symptoms were referred to the designated facilities to test for Covid-19.
Paballo Sekokotla, the City of Johannesburg’s Manager for Environmental Health, expressed his gratitude Cllr Landis for her support. He also thanked staff members, the different stakeholders, especially those who donated soap, sanitisers and food parcels: Spar Bassonia, Maggie’s Spar, Pick n Pay Panorama, Pick n Pay Mall of the South, Checkers, Mochachos Glenvista, Denver plus, Tayo Cash n Carry and Whitey Chemicals.
