AUK starts an awareness-raising campaign about Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Duhok, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – February 24th, 2020 – The American University of Kurdistan’s College of Nursing has started an awareness-raising campaign to educate and inform about the new Coronavirus (Covid-19).

The campaign started with a seminar for AUK students, faculty and staff members by Dr. Susie Chen, AUK’s Dean of Nursing College and Dr. Bilind Beyar from the Duhok Directorate of Health, who also participated as a speaker.

Following the seminar at AUK, Dr. Susie Chen visited the American International School- Duhok and explained the prevention measures of this epidemic for kids. As well as three other schools including Sardam School by SABIS in Duhok, with plans to visit more schools within this week.

“This is our position to educate the public knowing this new 2019-nCOV accurately and prevention methods. Similar to the influenza virus, 2019-nCOV is mainly based on droplet and contact transmission. After a person is infected with the 2019-nCOV, they can be transmitted to about two people around them, like the flu virus without a vaccine. With proper often hand washing and respiratory hygiene and good immunity, the transmission can be decreased significantly” Said Dr. Susie Chen in a statement. 

AUK is determined in educating on this disease and has already started spreading info-graphics about preventions of this virus, prior to Iraq’s Ministry of Health’s confirmation for the first case of coronavirus in Iraq, to protect the community and surroundings.

“It’s vital to remember that this disease is curable and that unfortunately, media coverage is playing a negative role in regulating our emotions, including fear. Therefore, it is our responsibility to play a positive role during this process and support our community in the endeavor to fight against this virus.” Stated Bina Qeredaxi, AUK’s Communications Manager, in an announcement on how media coverage on this virus is spreading excessive fear and panic in the community.

Inspired by its mission of serving the local and regional community; the American University of Kurdistan has embarked on the opening of the College of Nursing to cater to the needs of the health service in the region and beyond. The aim is to graduate highly skilled nursing professionals to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients.

The American University of Kurdistan is committed to working in partnership with the Department of Health in Duhok as well as universities, health, and social care organizations in the US to provide solutions for the evolving needs of health services in Kurdistan and beyond.