Indonesia implemented the innovative COVID-19 Ambassador Programme (Duta COVID-19) in the province of South Sulawesi to strengthen COVID-19 risk communication and engagement within the community. Duta COVID-19 participants are non-symptomatic contacts of COVID-19 patients. They partake in a 14-day quarantine during which time they are provided COVID-19 training and education to share with their friends and family once the quarantine period is completed. Information includes how to prevent and control COVID-19 infection through strategies like physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and dissemination of risk communication materials in the community. The programme is designed to lessen the burden of COVID-19 care on health facilities by reducing exposure of health personnel and enabling supplies to be focused on patients with confirmed and severe symptoms. The success of this innovative initiative came out clearly and strongly during an outreach video conference hosted by WHO last month to discuss COVID-19 response plans and activities with all Indonesian provinces. WHO, national and provincial health authorities agreed to share response plans, and their success stories, across sectors and partners to achieve an effective whole-of-society approach to pandemic preparedness and response.
