The Ministry of Health and Wellness is intensifying it’s communication campaign towards fighting Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19). The communication campaign seeks to sensitize the nation about COVID-19. The aim is to clear misconceptions and encourage best practices.
Through the “Kgang ke eng”? [What is the issue?”] campaign, the Ministry was using the slogan to answer frequently asked questions, clear misconceptions and educate the nation on how to best act and behave to curb the spread of and fight COVID-19.
As we are anticipating the roll-out plan of the vaccine, the Ministry today took a step to build the momentum of receiving the vaccine. The ‘ArmReady for Lemao’ [Vaccine] communication campaign was launched today by the Minister of Health and Wellness- Dr. Edwin Dikoloti.
Speaking at the launch earlier today, Dikoloti said the Government of Botswana has put in place a robust strategy which has six (6) key strategic focus areas which are; strengthening coordination and operational readiness, testing, contact tracing, surveillance, risk communication and community engagement, isolation and treatment.
The Minister emphasized the integral role that communication plays, which is the main reason why the government invests on it to keep the leadership, community/public and stakeholders informed. Dikoloti said that the success of the fight against COVID-19 depends on fast and reliable communication. The Minister says both traditional and new media will used for the campaign.
“The overall goal of the COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Strategy is to alleviate apprehensions about the vaccine, promote its acceptance and uptake by the public through timely dissemination of accurate and transparent information. The approach will be staggered, targeted, responsive, evidence based, inclusive and collaborative. Furthermore, the strategy will enhance and harness capacities and synergies of other sectors, communities and response actors.It worth-noting that the communication strategy will use the existing national Kgang Ke Eng? campaign, which seeks to explore and answer the current issue of vaccine uptake. The campaign will highlight the slogan “ArmReady For Lemao”. The campaign aims to address fears, misinformation, doubts and frustrations and emerging issues regarding the vaccine” Dikoloti revealed.
To spice up the day and relay a message to the public in style, there was a performance by Khoisan and Scar, with a song encouraging people to get vaccinated. The slogan ‘ArmReady for Lemao’ was first seen on another local artist page ‘KAST’ on February. He printed ‘ArmReady for Lemao’ on a white short sleeved round neck t-shirt and rolled up a sleeve.
