THE National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR)  has  urged  mine workers  in the country to get vaccinated  against  Covid-19   because their work  requires  healthy  people.

NIMR  Director General,  Professor Yunus  Mgaya  made the call  when addressing  workers at Sipemba Gold Mining  in  Itumbi  Ward, Chunya  District.

Prof Mgaya said that more education about Covid-19 needs to be provided in mining areas due to interactions of various people from different areas.

He stressed of the need  for health experts  to continue  visiting the mining areas  to educate  the  group on the importance of   Covid-19 vaccines  so as to protect  miners against the  pandemic which may affect their activities.

Prof Mgaya urged  health workers  at community level  to give priority to  the mining  areas in creating awareness about  Covid 19  vaccines  in order to  shun people who  provide misleading information to the public.

 "By considering the working environment of miners it is easier to infect one another because most of them go inside the mine pits where there is no enough ventilation," he said.

 He added that it is important to educate the  group about  precautionary  measures including  wearing face masks, washing hands  with soap and water ,  avoid unnecessary  crowding  as well as taking Covid - 19  jabs.

Prof Mgaya further said that NIMR as medical institution will continue to provide services   through mobile clinics calling upon the miners to use the opportunity to protect their health.

Chunya  District  Medical Officer  (DMO), Mr Daison Andrew  pledged to give priority  in mine areas  in his district  especially  those with  poor understanding  on how to  protect themselves against  various diseases due to high interaction  of people.

 Some miners admitted to have received misleading information about Covid 19 vaccines calling upon experts to continue providing education for people to get the right information.

Sipemba Gold Mining Director, Hamis Sipemba said that mine owners were enthusiastic to see their workers getting right information about various diseases so that they can protect themselves.