MARGAO
The father-daughter duo of Dr Jorson and Dr Joelene Fernandes has won the National Health Care Heroes Award as Covid Awareness Warriors in the Most Impact category from Only My Health Jagran New Media.
The duo had taken upon themselves the responsibility of an extensive Covid-19 awareness programme to bring about a behavior change throughout Goa. They made people aware of how simple preventive measures like hand-washing, wearing a face mask and social distancing could go a long way in ensuring that Covid-19 infection does not spread.
Dr Jorson and Dr Joelene, in all conducted 36 virtual sessions, 15 practical demonstrations covering 57 primary schools, high schools and higher secondary schools, 3 colleges, 1 anganwadis and 12 other organisations.
Dr Jorson said the lead teachers who were provided with the educational material and videos thereafter conducted the Covid-19 awareness programmes in their respective schools and areas with a reach of about 1,12,000 people which immensely benefitted the community.
The impact of the programmes was praiseworthy as Chief Minister Prarnod Sawant not only lauded both Dr Jorson and Dr Joelene for the manner in which the programmes were imparted on the educational front, but went a step further asking the Goa Education Department to countersign the Covid Warrior Certificates being issued to the Principals, Heads of Schools and Teachers.
The effectiveness and reach of the awareness programme was highly appreciated by the Goa Education Department which officially adopted it.
Margao-based Dr Jorson, an ENT surgeon stated that he observed how there was a poor understanding on lack of hand hygiene, importance of social distancing (Avoiding 3 Cs - Close Contact, Closed Spaces and Crowded places), and skills of wearing a face mask. “There was a need of societal-level behavior change to make citizens not merely responsible but also “’Responsive” towards the fight against Covid-l9. This is when the idea of Rotary Covid-19 awareness programme (Rotary CAP) came to my mind and my daughter Dr Joelene Fernandes who joined force and took the reach across Goa and beyond with the help of networking of Rotary Clubs in Goa, Cuncolim Art and Cultural Association, Anganwadi workers, corporates, organisations and the industrial estates.”
