By OLIVER SAMBOKO
FAILURE by Government to employ a bottom- up approach in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic is responsible for the escalated number of cases in the country, says former Health Minister, Jonas Chanda.Dr Chanda said in an interview that the “big brother is watching approach” where the authorities impose Covid preventive measures on citizens, should be abandoned as it has never been achieved anywhere in the world, including in European countries. “The mandatory approach has failed in many countries including Europe where it ignited public anger because the citizens became suspicious,” he said. He said there is need for behavioural change among the citizens if the battle against the pandemic is to be won.Dr Chanda said the only time the people will accept behavioural change towards the Covid pandemic is when Government starts implementing a bottom to top approach where people don’t feel forced to do certain things like participating in mandatory vaccinations. He said the fight against covid-19 should start at household and community level, adding that without this approach, the targets set by Government will not be achieved.Dr Chanda said the public should be made to understand that the Covid-19 is killing people and the need to fight it as it has the potential to disrupt social-economic development.He said Government should employ a social marketing campaign against Covid-19, like the way it was done against HIV Aids in the 1990s.Dr Chanda said for behavioural change to happen the public should buy into the message Government is providing as opposed to being forced to do certain things even if it’s for their own benefit.
