Sarah Naluyima is a devoted neighborhood well being employee on the forefront of Uganda’s Ebola outbreak response. For 15 years, Sarah has labored in her neighborhood, elevating consciousness about varied well being points. Right this moment, her focus is on stopping the unfold of Ebola, offering important data to assist defend her neighborhood.
Every day, Sarah visits colleges, markets, and neighborhoods to teach individuals about hygiene, recognizing signs, and in search of medical assist early. She is well-known and trusted in the neighborhood, and many individuals flip to her for the most recent well being recommendation. “The neighborhood trusts me as a result of I’ve been working right here for thus lengthy,” Sarah says. Her long-standing relationships with the individuals are key to her success in delivering well being messages successfully.
Sarah’s affect is evident. She is usually the primary particular person the neighborhood turns to for details about Ebola. Folks depend on her data and compassion to remain knowledgeable and protected. “I’ve constructed relationships over time,” she explains. “Once I communicate to them, they pay attention. They belief me.” This belief permits Sarah to information the neighborhood in adopting vital behaviors that may assist stop the unfold of the virus.
One in all Sarah’s biggest strengths is her capability to speak advanced well being messages in a means that resonates together with her neighborhood. She understands the cultural nuances, strengths, and challenges that form individuals’s behaviors. With this understanding, Sarah delivers well being data in a fashion that’s each relatable and sensible. This method is very necessary within the battle towards Ebola, because it ensures that folks not solely perceive the message however are additionally motivated to behave.
Regardless of the challenges of an outbreak, Sarah faces little resistance from the neighborhood. “Folks pay attention as a result of they know my recommendation is for their very own good,” she says. This open communication has allowed her to dispel myths and make clear doubts, making certain that folks obtain the fitting data. Her capability to attach with the neighborhood on a private stage makes her work much more impactful, permitting her to navigate the complexities of the well being disaster with confidence.
Sarah’s dedication to her work has been pivotal in the neighborhood’s response to Ebola. Via her efforts, she has helped result in constructive conduct modifications, reminiscent of elevated handwashing, higher hygiene practices, and a better willingness to hunt medical consideration on the first indicators of sickness. “There’s been a noticeable shift in how individuals reply to well being points,” Sarah says. “They’re extra conscious and extra cautious now.”
Because the outbreak continues, Sarah stays on the coronary heart of efforts to guard her neighborhood. Her work is important to Uganda’s ongoing efforts to comprise Ebola. By educating individuals, constructing belief, and guiding conduct change, Sarah performs a vital position within the nation’s collective battle towards the virus. Via her dedication and arduous work, Sarah helps to make sure a safer, more healthy future for the individuals of Uganda.
Uganda declared an outbreak of Ebola on 30 January 2025. As of 10 March 2025, the nation had recorded 12 confirmed circumstances and two deaths.
