VFAHT-AKU celebrated World Thalassemia Day. A series of posters aim to detail the types, symptoms, and treatments for thalassemia.

The purpose of our social media campaign was to create awareness among the public about various asthma triggers immediate precautionary measures that can be taken to avoid any future health consequences. 2 posters were made and shared on various social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) by all the members of the council to create awareness.

Enlightening the public masses about various health conditions is necessary especially for those who can be managed by taking timely precautions. Severe asthmatic reactions can also be avoided by keeping the triggers and precautions in mind.

The use of illegal drugs or the use of over-the-counter prescription drugs in excessive amounts or for purposes other than the intended use is categorized as drug abuse, which is becoming an ever-increasing problem in recent times. The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was recognized by VFAHT SZMC local council on 26th June 2020. Infographic posters were made & shared on the respective Facebook page. The informative posters highlighted the co-relation of drug abuse and the increased risk of Infectious Diseases.

“Blood saves lives, but it can need saving too” was planned for June with the main aim to spread more awareness about blood-borne diseases and plasma donation, in light of World blood donors day and COVID-19. During this time, plasma donation is essential, and it is necessary to not just encourage recovered patients for it, but also remove any associated myths.

Instagram and Facebook were used as platforms for the dissemination of information, and we kept our activities engaging by injecting story elements in our daily questions, making it more interesting for a layman to participate. All material was shared in the form of posters.

The activity received a good response and giving a story aspect to information helped convey the message better.

Every year, on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). The event serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. When the whole world is reeling under the onslaught of COVID- 19, Blood donation has taken a serious hit amid this outbreak & blood is in short supply, leaving patients of thalassemia & others to suffer. Also, we know that Convalescent plasma is a rich source of antibodies that can kill the virus & help treat corona patients. For someone who is recovered from COVID-19, their plasma donation can make a huge difference & they may be able to save a life.

In this context, VFAHT SZMC LC is organizing an awareness program & a picture competition among medical students depicting blood donation under the title “Donate blood save lives”.

Several participants sent their entries. Total of 54 participants participates in the event.

Due to the current pandemic, we decided to do a social media awareness campaign. Since coronavirus is also a droplet borne infection, so it was the need of time to educate people about this mode of transmission.

Our objectives were:

1. To educate people about the droplet-borne mode of infection because many deadly infections are spread by this route.
2. To help people understand and acknowledge some common droplet borne diseases.
3. To tell masses how to prevent themselves from getting infected by these infections.

Our campaign was a 7-day campaign. Each day, a video was uploaded on social media pages of VFAHT at 3 pm and then a question regarding that video was uploaded at 7 pm.

On days 1 and 7, videos made by Avinash and Anfal were uploaded followed by respective questions. We had good social media engagement on these days.

On days 2 and 3, videos made by Varisha and Anusha were uploaded followed by their questions, we had moderate social media engagement.

On day 4, the video made by Aelia, edited by Basit and Narmeen was uploaded followed by the question. We had maximum social media engagement that day. That video is by far the most popular video on VFAHT’s DUHS page to date.

Then, on days 5 and 6, videos by Ammara and Unaiza were uploaded. We had an okayish engagement.

In conclusion, we were successful in conducting a social media awareness campaign despite all the limitations because of the lack of communication due to COVID. Moreover, two students from JSMU also participated and learned how we operate in VFAHT. The Media Department helped us a lot. The feedback was positive too and a lot of people engaged on our social media posts making this campaign a success. We hope to conduct more such awareness campaigns shortly.

The sharing of info posters was aimed at creating awareness about bloodborne diseases (specifying AIDS). The posters were being shared on the official Fecbook page and official WhatsApp group of VFAHT FJMU. The info posters answered several FAQs regarding AIDS.

Considering the current pandemic, many diseases prevailing amongst the general population have been ignored and their treatments are delayed due to the healthcare burden. Keeping this in mind, DIARRHEA AND DYSENTERY was chosen as the
topic. The pediatric age group was specifically chosen due to the complications and high mortality rate amongst infants.

Amongst the general population, mothers were the target of this campaign. The campaign was divided into 3 weeks and each week had a separate theme. 1st week comprised of an introduction to diarrhea and dysentery. This included signs and symptoms of diarrhea. To make it more interactive, questions were added to test the knowledge of the people. The 1st week concluded with a video summarizing all the identification points of diarrhea, as well as specific signs of dehydration amongst neonate’s 2nd week, focused on management, treatment, and prevention of diarrhea. This was divided into daily posters highlighting a few points each day for the management and treatment. This week was concluded with a video demonstrating methods of making oral rehydration solution at home, to make the management of diarrhea easier at home.

3rd week focused more on vaccination for children to prevent diarrhea. Awareness about vaccination was raised by countering the myths associated with it. This week was ended with a video answering FAQs related to diarrhea by the pediatrician Akhtar Ali Akhan. The campaign was met with a good response from the audience.
Many posts had a reasonable number of likes and comments. To make the posts more interactive, each comment would tag more people to improve the reach. Additionally, the awareness posts were shared on Facebook groups that comprised of mothers. These included ELAAJ THE TREATMENT, GIRLS KINGDOM, and SOUL SISTERS PAKISTAN.