ILOILO City – The Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH-WV-CHD) is seeking to generate testimonials from overseas Ilonggo healthcare workers to encourage the public of getting anti-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) shots.
Dr. Mary Jane Roches Juanico, head of the DOH-Western Visayas infectious disease section, said they have started coordinating with groups, especially those residing in the United States and Europe, especially in the United Kingdom, that have already availed themselves of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We are trying to tap graduates such as Ilonggo nurses and physicians who are currently working abroad to give testimonials with regards to the effect of vaccinations,” she said.
She said these healthcare workers can be potential influencers as their experiences can be backed by scientific evidence.
“Coming from scientific evidence of these vaccines, majority have established good portfolio in terms of effects,” she said.
Meanwhile, Juanico said that part of their focus, in terms of demand generation, are the healthcare workers who are the eligible priority population for the COVID-19 vaccination.
She said it is important for medical workers to understand the need and benefits of being immunized.
She added that among the strategies they would employ is the conduct of series of town hall meetings with healthcare facilities and partners, as well as consultations with various groups. (With PIA-6 Iloilo/PN)
