Sarah Naluyima: Dedicated to changing community behaviour in response to the Ebola outbreak in Uganda
Sarah Naluyima is the forefront of the dedicated community health worker in the Ebola epidemic response in Uganda. For 15 years, Sarah has worked in her community, raising awareness about various health issues. Today, her focus is on preventing the spread of Ebola and providing basic information to help protect her community.
Every day, Sarah visits schools, markets and communities to educate people about health, identify symptoms and seek medical help as early as possible. She is well-known in the community and many seek her for the latest health advice. “The community trusts me because I’ve been here for a long time,” Sarah said. Her long-term relationship with the people is key to her successful health message.
Sarah’s influence is obvious. She is usually the first person the community has turned to about Ebola. People rely on her knowledge and compassion to stay informed and safe. “I’ve built relationships over the years,” she explained. “When I talk to them, they listen. They believe me.” This trust allows Sarah to guide the community to adopt key behaviors that can help prevent the spread of the virus.
One of Sarah’s biggest strengths is her ability to convey complex health messages in ways that resonate with the community. She understands the cultural nuances, strengths, and challenges that shape people’s behavior. With this understanding, Sarah provides health information in a way that is both relevant and practical. This approach is particularly important in the fight against Ebola because it ensures that people not only know information but also have the motivation to act.
Despite the challenges of the outbreak, Sarah faces little resistance from the community. “People listen because they know my advice is for their own good,” she said. This open communication allows her to eliminate myths and clarify doubts, thus ensuring people receive the right message. Her ability to connect with the community on a personal level makes her work more impactful and allows her to respond with confidence to the complexity of the health crisis.
Sarah’s dedication to her work is crucial in the community’s response to Ebola. Through her efforts, she has helped achieve positive behavioral changes such as increased hand washing, better hygiene habits and greater willingness to seek medical care in the first signs of illness. “There’s a clear shift in people’s response to health issues,” Sarah said. “They’re more aware and more cautious now.”
As the outbreak continues, Sarah remains at the heart of efforts to protect the community. Her work is crucial to Uganda’s continued containment of Ebola. By educating people, building trust and guiding behavior change, Sarah plays a crucial role in the country’s collective struggle against the virus. Through dedication and hard work, Sarah helps ensure a safer and healthier future for the Ugandan people.
Uganda announced an outbreak of Ebola virus on January 30, 2025. As of March 10, 2025, the country recorded 12 confirmed cases and 2 deaths.
Distributed by Apo Group on behalf of the World Health Organization – Uganda.
