Bangladesh\Cox’s Bazar
A young hero in time: At age 20, Junnot Ullah is one of many remarkable youths among Rohingya refugees engaging at local and community levels to lift the spirit of his people and enhance their health and well-being amidst COVID-19 – in a community of nearly a million people at risk of infection in refugee camps.
Namibia
Heroes from the COVID-19 health front-line: an epidemiologist’s narrative of how they play a role in investigating patterns and causes of disease in humans. “In the context of COVID-19, our focus lies in reducing the risk and occurrence of negative health outcomes through research, community education and health policy,” Hilary Kagume Njenge, a Kenyan epidemiologist employed by WHO emergency hub for east and southern Africa in Nairobi.
Papua New Guinea
“If we don’t do it, who will?” Two nurses, Jude Taumomoa and Sr Romanah Koiasombi, are still working in the frontlines of the COVID-19 response in PNG, at the Rita Flynn Isolation facility in Port Moresby
Philippines
“This is our sworn duty – to reach those who are not reached by the medical services.” Jefferson Aragon, a nurse who is working with local officials to conduct a polio vaccination campaign in a remote town in Aurora, Philippines – in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lao Peoples' Democratic Republic
Community workers ensure early detection of potential outbreaks of COVID-19: Lao PDR’s main lines of defence against the introduction of COVID-19 have been limiting the number of people who can enter the country, mandatory quarantine and COVID-19 tests for those people who do enter and testing anyone hospitalised with severe pneumonia or breathing difficulties for COVID-19.
Austria
‘It didn’t kill me, but I came out stronger’. A nurse contracted COVID-19 from one of his patients, recovered, and returned to work with much more resolve and compassion.
Nigeria
“When I tested positive to COVID-19, I was evacuated to an isolation facility with minimum contact with other infected persons and none with people from outside. It was really one of my lowest points and I began feeling depressed and worried about my situation. Fortunately, psychosocial support from the WHO Stress Counsellor helped me cope.” –Dr Korir Charles, WHO staff who recovered from COVID-19.
Serbia
Aref Bandary: a doctor, cultural mediator and migrant who has been leading the COVID-19 response in refugee centres.
Malaysia
From crisis to hope: After being cured from Hepatitis, Mr Yen now volunteers at Crisis Home, a non-profit and self-funded organisation that provides care for individuals living with hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. Their programmes include the management of shelter homes and community engagement through support and outreach.
Kazakhstan
Helping women give birth during the COVID-19 pandemic: Altynai Karakhoishiyeva has been working as an obstetrician-gynaecologist for over 15 years in Almaty. Without fear, she decided to continue working there when it became an isolation hospital for mothers suspected of having COVID-19.
Ethiopia
Using experiences from polio in the COVID-19 response: As critical staff in the Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Berhane Beyene, despite the UN Circular information on the AWW (Alternative Ways of Working) and the “stay home” announcement from the government, works nonstop, including weekends, and not even getting enough sleep since the declaration of COVID-19 pandemic.
Republic of Korea
What does the new normal look like for older people? A social worker explains how life for elderly people in the care home she worked at changed drastically due to COVID-19, and how she continues to support them the best way she can.
Federated States of Micronesia
Local community members empowering their neighbours to prepare for the pandemic. Community-based planning of public health interventions has been ongoing since 2017, and now this unique platform is being leveraged to discuss community-based approaches to preventing COVID-19.
South Sudan
COVID-19 responders recount stigma ordeal because the spread of the virus sparked another anxiety: people not only feared the disease, they also feared the reaction and alienation of close family, relatives and neighbours if they tested positive for COVID-19. Even those conscious of the risk found themselves paralysed by the idea of being ostracised by their neighbours and community.
Egypt
Lessons and warnings: a doctor’s COVID-19 story. “This is a lesson I learned: They should treat me like a patient, and I should behave like a patient,” said Dr Ahmed Ismail of his experience with COVID-19.
Pakistan
After heartbreak, a Pakistani doctor's plea for vigilance against COVID-19. A doctor watched as his own son, a medical student, die; and now reminds every person to take precautions, washing their hands again and again, social distancing, using masks in public places.
