Training Awareness for the MFF Care Givers & Early Intervention Workers about Covid-19

 

 by Ána Mafileó (Our new Case Manager for Elderly Care here at MFF)

NUKU‘ALOFA – The Ma’a Fafine mo e Famili Inc. invited Sister ‘Akesa Halatanu from the Ministry of Health (MOH) to conduct a 2 hours training for the Tongatapu Care Givers (CGs) and Early Intervention Program (EIP) to help them with their services towards the 150 elders and the 50 children living with disabilities from around Tongatapu who are under the Social Services Program of the Government of Tonga under the management of the MFF.

This training awareness was held on Wednesday, 18^th March 2020 after the CGs had their fortnightly meeting with the MFF Director to report on their daily routine in which they provide to their elderlies and what needs to be provided to help with their services.

The CGs and EIPs were grateful for this opportunity as the information provided by Sister Halatanu was of great help to their services.

Sister Halatanu stressed the importance of “protecting yourself first and protecting others, your families as well and especially the elderlies.”

She said, “Coronavirus is a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Novel coronavirus called covid-2019 is a new strain of coronavirus affecting humans. Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing and it can take up to 14 days for the symptoms to show after a person has been infected.”

Since the outbreak of the new flu-like illness in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China called covid-19 in December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a pandemic. Most countries around the world especially in Europe are in lockdown due to the fast spreading of this covid-19 with the death toll now at about 8,919.

Some of the CGs and EIPs asked questions to clarify how they can avoid the spreading of the disease if it reaches Tonga. Mrs. Siutiti ‘Osamu a Care Giver who looks after two elderly female spinisters from Fasi mo e Afi said, “One of my clients has been coughing regularly for about 5 years now. She does not suffer from a cold or flu, but she usually coughs and uses a tissue to wipe her mouth clean. My concern then, is, can the virus spread through her regular coughing or not?”

Sister Halatanu confirmed that if the client is not sick but her regular coughing is normal, then, it is important to always wash her hands, wear mask and make sure the house is clean at all times.

Care Giver Siosi Puniani looks after a client from the Ma’ufanga village and her concern was for her elderly because there are animals in the house, such as dogs and cats. “I understand the simple practices that can help protect us from the virus, but, if the virus reaches Tonga, is my elderly vulnerable to be infected through her animals?”

Sister Halatanu confirmed that the virus does not travel through animals.

Mrs. Stella Moala, an EIP staff said her main concern, was on how CGs would continue to carry out their age care services and early intervention if there will be a lockdown in the future. Sister Halatanu said that it is the responsibility of the government to provide help for its people, but then, we all know that this is impossible due to the limited resources the government has. She praises the great contribution the MFF and its Care Givers are giving in looking after the welfare of our elderly people. “The 150 elderlies on Tongatapu is a lot of work and deserves praise” she said. She also confirmed that at the moment, neither the government nor the Ministry of Health had a plan particularly for the elderly people.

Sister Halatanu also said that one of their colleagues at the MOH suggested that the country should conduct a 3 day lockdown drill. In this way, the government decision makers who still take for granted the seriousness of this epidemic as well as the people of Tonga would experience how we should cooperate in avoiding the spreading of the coronavirus before it reaches our shores.

Finally, Sister Halatanu advised that the best way to avoid the spreading of the virus is to avoid contact with the sick people, regularly wash hands with soap, or use hand sanitizers, avoid touching your face and mouth after touching surfaces and stay at home. As a precaution, avoid visiting markets where food and live animals are sold.