By Ali Mohammed Zanna (9NEWS NIGERIA, BORNO STATE)
The Borno State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has commenced a two-day capacity-building workshop aimed at equipping Local Government Area (LGA) Health Promotion Officers and frontline journalists with critical skills to address public health challenges.
The workshop, slotted for Saturday December 14 to 15, was held at Oakland Hotel in Maiduguri.
The training is focused on intensifying Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) for effective health education and promotion.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Abdulwahab Mala, Director of Family and Community Health/State Coordinator for Immunization Plus Polio, represented by the State Deputy Director for Immunization Plus Polio, Habiba Saidu, highlighted the importance of RCCE in tackling health crises and building resilient communities.
The first session featured a presentation on the role of health educators in crisis response by Abdu Mbaya, the State Health Educator, and Bakura Ali, the State Community Engagement Focal Person.
They facilitated case study discussions on health education responses to recent outbreaks, showcasing practical examples of community engagement and outbreak management.
Hadiza Waziri, a UNICEF representative, delivered an insightful paper on communication strategies for behavioural change, emphasizing the importance of designing culturally sensitive communication materials and combating misinformation through effective messaging techniques.
Participants also engaged in activities aimed at developing behaviour change campaigns for addressing local health issues.Hamza Abdulkadir of Solina Health delivered a session on improving community engagement, underscoring the need for effective health education responses to outbreaks.
He highlighted how these efforts could strengthen relationships between health workers and community members, ensuring timely responses to health emergencies.
Responding to the workshop’s objectives, Borno State NUJ Chairman Abdulkareem Haruna commended the Ministry of Health for engaging the media in public health campaigns.
He emphasized the crucial role journalists play in disseminating accurate health information to the public, especially during outbreaks.
The workshop is expected to foster stronger collaborations between health professionals and the media, ultimately enhancing public health preparedness and response in Borno State.
