Years before COVID-19, there was Ebola—a virus that ravaged West Africa and killed over 2,500 people in Guinea. Rumors spread about doctors fueling Ebola, which discouraged many people from visiting health centers for needed services like vaccinations.

Emmanuel recalls vividly the challenges of winning patient trust. Today, he is the head of a flourishing health center, but not long ago, villagers were afraid to visit for treatment. A Search for Common Ground program used participatory theater to dispel fear and misinformation.

When we arrive at the health center two kilometers from the village of Kolla, dozens of patients are already waiting. Since early morning, Emmanuel has been working tirelessly: “I always wanted to be a doctor. As a child, I only dreamed of one thing: treating people and saving lives.”

From 2013 onwards, the relationship between the population and health workers eroded as the Ebola virus spread. When the epidemic ended, Emmanuel tried in vain to convince people to return for treatment.

“People were convinced that the health centers were hotbeds of infection,” recalls Emmanuel. “I would be lucky If I had one or two patients. In addition to fear, people turned to traditional medicine. They didn't understand the need for vaccines to prevent further epidemics.”

Since 2017, the “Citizen Participation in Health Governance” project has been helping Emmanuel rebuild trust with patients. Peacebuilders visit villages, stage plays, and involve the audience in the show, considering hard questions about public health.

A year ago, the troupe visited Kolla for the first time. Emmanuel remembers the scene vividly: “The whole village was present. People could interact with the actors, ask questions, and allay their fears.”

The play boosted confidence in the health system, and Emmanuel’s center started to fill up. He took on critical new tasks: vaccinating children, monitoring women during pregnancy, and mobilizing quickly in response to any early signs of an epidemic.

The theater production also reminded health workers such as Emmanuel of their responsibilities to the population. Non-compliance with protocols and drug prices set by the authorities can easily jeopardize the patient-physician relationship again.

“I have realized that building trust is a two-way street,” Emmanuel says. “We too have an important role to play with our patients. I no longer take their trust for granted, and every day I work to honor it.”