Thematic Analysis on the Listing and Follow up of Contacts

Josephat handles the relationships with local radio stations in Mangina, the center of the Ebola outbreak. He’s from the community and knows the local radio scene in this part of Nord Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He’s a critical conduit between the Ebola response and the general public. If there’s new information, it’s Jospephat who makes sure the radio stations all have reliable, fact based reports to educate the public. Josephat spends a lot of time inside sound booths in radio stations like Tele Espoir Radio in Mangina. He’s invited on air to share news about Ebola and helpful steps families can take to protect themselves. Sometimes the radio stations invite him on for extended talk back sessions where people call in with questions. “It’s good to hear the community concerns,” he says. “We have to get these people accurate information so they won’t be afraid, it’s what we do.” With community visits and radio broadcasts, the message about Ebola has reached a saturation point in many places in Nord Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. People understand the messages and are practising hand-washing and caution. But this part of Congo has many travelers and traders who carry goods to sell in cities across the region. These travelers are one of the last remaining risks for transmission of the disease because they haven’t received the same health messages and can more easily contract and spread the disease.