Radio show promotes public awareness about Covid-19

Mikado FM is a radio station from Mali, promoted by the United Nations, which seeks to consolidate peace, harmony and coexistence in the country. With the onset of the COvid-19 pandemic in the country, the radio wanted to provide an important public service and contribute to spread awareness about the disease and, hopefully, save lives.

The show, called Midikado and hosted by Ben Junior Kambiré, has quickly become very popular. During the show, Kamiberé quizzes the listeners on their knowledge about Covid-19, in a very entertaining and dynamic way. He asks many different questions related to the disease and the phones keeps buzzing with callers wanting to answer. “Tell me the basic protective measures you can take to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus!”, he asks. And quickly receives a call from a listener with an answer: “"Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. You must also avoid crowds, cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze and seek medical attention as soon as possible when you have fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. But before going to the doctor, you must first call ahead."

The work the radio is providing is especially important in a country where the radio is the most important form of media, particularly for those communities living in more remote areas of the country. "Between two questions put to listeners on COVID-19, I play songs that also help raise awareness about the pandemic, and other public service messages," host Kambiré explains

Even though French is the official language in Mali, the radio also broadcast this information in Bambara, Songhay, Tamasheq, Fulani and Arabic, to make sure no one is left out. The work the radio is providing has been recognized by the director of the National Health Department, Abdoulaye Guindo, who says: " Mikado FM does not only provide quality information; it is also very useful in dispelling rumours that are often dangerous in today's environment."

Adapted from: https://reliefweb.int/report/mali/mikado-fm-peace-radio-age-coronavirus
https://www.un.org/africarenewal/web-features/coronavirus/mali-how-peace...