Authorities enlist temple chiefs, monks in COVID-19 prevention efforts

Health authorities are utilising temple chiefs and monks to raise awareness and develop the community’s potential in managing the COVID-19 crisis and its impacts on society.
COVID-19 is not merely a health issue concerning the person infected with this virus but also a serious socio-economic problem with potentially devastating impacts on future development, a senior health official said.
Standing Member of the National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, Associate Prof. Dr Phouthone Muongpak made the

remarks on Thursday speaking at the opening ceremony of the ‘Orientation Meeting for Temple Chiefs of Four Districts in Vientiane about COVID-19’.
He said monks were helping in managing the COVID-19 problem and reducing its impacts on communities since the pandemic’s emergence.
“Buddhist monks are important for responding and providing positive information on COVID-19 prevention and control in their communities and conditions of daily life before, during and after the outbreak in the country,” he said.
Although this has been done mainly through health education, a large number of monks have also assisted the reducing the discrimination against people infected with COVID-19, including risk groups. A representative of the Central Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation said the temple chiefs and monks learning about the coronavirus and all the related problems were fulfilling their first responsibility to the community.
By taking that knowledge and disseminating it for the benefit of the community, they would be fulfilling their second responsibility while being a refuge for society during its time of suffering would fulfil their third responsibility, he said.
People put their trust in monks and turn to them for support and advice in times of crisis, such as during the pandemic.
Monks have responded to this new need by diversifying the work they are doing. Using the life skills development and participatory learning approach, they equip the people with the skills they need to protect themselves from the dangers that come with the virus.
“The monks do not work alone but collaborate with other community leaders, the local health station and schools. In this way, activities conducted by monks and nuns become a community affair with all sectors of the community becoming involved,”  the organisation’s representative added.
The government imposed key measures to restrict free movement during the Covid-19 outbreak aiming to curb the number of infections in the country.
The situation provided a strong rallying point for the government, relevant authorities, and people nationwide to join hands against the coronavirus.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update July 28, 2020)