Covid-19: Mozambique’s ‘Alô Vida’ telephone line answers questions about the disease – Listen

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Covid-19: Mozambique’s ‘Alô Vida’ telephone line answers questions about the disease – Listen

2:14 CAT | 07 May 2020

Yara Innoc*encia and Arsénia Chambisso, from 'Alô Vida' line. [Photo: Voa Portugues]

A Ministry of Health free phone line is helping thousands of citizens fight the new coronavirus pandemic. The line has support from the FDC – Foundation for Community Development Mozambique ,

“Alô Vida” receives up to 600 calls a day, and provides clarifications in Portuguese, English and eight national languages.

At the moment, 41 people work and answer calls on the line, among them 21 doctors who received specific training on matters related to Covid-19.

“Most of the calls we receive are from people living in remote districts, mainly in the central and northern regions of the country,” explains Arsénia Chambisso, an undergraduate medical student.

Another undergraduate medical student, Yara Inocência, says that people aged 15 to 40 years are the most frequent callers.

“There are many children calling, concerned with what it is and how to and treat it, plus manner of transmission and so on,” she says.

Alov — *Natércia Monjane, head of the Health Promotion Department*

Head of the Promotion Department Natércia Monjane, a psychologist and Public Health master’s student, recalls that “Alô Vida” started operating 18 years ago, dealing primarily with enquiries about HIV-AIDS.

But now, those using the line mainly ask about the coronavirus.

“The demand is very high. Before Covid-19, we had an average of about 200 enquires a day, but now it’s up to around 600,” she says.

A digital health information education platform called ‘Pensa’, which has been in place since 2017 and is supported by all three national mobile phone operators, is also currently focused on the new coronavirus’ symptoms, causes and preventative measures.

Source: Voa Portugues