The International Youth Day was designated by the United Nations to raise awareness on issues affecting young people around the world and to recognize their many contributions to preventing conflict, supporting inclusion, social justice, and sustain peace.
In Cox’s Bazar, young frontline health workers are upholding vital programs by providing critical health services to the vulnerable people in the refugee camps and host communities. The recognition of their many efforts is a tribute to the positive impact of youth engagement and participation in the health sector’s response to the Rohingya crisis.
That is particularly true for Bangladeshi and Rohingya youths working around the clock to prevent COVID-19 infections in Cox’s Bazar. To date, WHO confirmed 75 COVID-19 positive cases in the Rohingya camps.
“Even though COVID-19 infections remain low in the camps, we are taking the situation very seriously and pertaining all measures to protect ourselves and the Rohingya people”, says Ruhksana Kalim, working as disease surveillance and reporting officer at Relief International.
Although services in the Rohingya refugee camps have been scaled back to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, under WHO’s coordination the health sector is providing essential primary health care for the nearly one million Rohingya and host communities.
Ruhksana is working as a disease surveillance and reporting officer at Relief International, in Kutupalong, Ukhia - WHO/ Tatiana Almeida
In early 2018, Rukhsana moved from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar and has been since surveying and responding to outbreaks in this large-scale humanitarian crisis.
“My experiences in the chickenpox and diphtheria outbreaks in the past two years were instrumental to prepare for COVID-19. I am responsible to do contact tracing and follow up on COVID-19 positive cases in the camps. I rely on the support of volunteers, community health workers, Majhis and I also contact the patient’s family to prevent further transmissions”, explains Ruhksana.
15 Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Isolation and Treatment Centres (SARI ITCs) are currently being operationalized in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar with 9 partner organizations committed to creating 1080 beds for patients with severe and critical symptoms of COVID-19.
“The family of such patients need to be tested and go into quarantine for 14 days, but often times they hesitate. In those cases, we try to support the family members by providing proper counselling and explaining the process involved”, explains the 25-year-old.
As frontline health workers, the youth in Cox’s Bazar are not only addressing the pandemic but also ensuring that everyone can access the live-saving benefits of basic health services.
“Young health workers in Cox’s Bazar are showing their resilience and prompt action in a very challenging year for global health. Many of them are at the frontline as essential health workers. Some contributing with their expertise in health facilitates and laboratories, others bringing communities key information and home-based care. Their leadership has been impressive, and I thank them for all their efforts”, says Dr Kai von Harbou, Head of WHO Cox’s Bazar Sub-Office.
Rukhsana relies on the support of volunteers and community health workers to follow up on COVID-19 positive cases - WHO/ Tatiana Almeida