Sodiq Ojuroungbe The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with the World Health Organisation has commenced a six-day workshop to develop robust risk communication strategies. The workshop which will take place in Lagos from 25 to 30 November will bring together officials from federal and state ministries of health, journalists, communications specialists, and security personnel, all of whom play crucial roles in public health responses. According to a statement obtained by PUNCH Healthwise on Tuesday, the workshop, funded by the Canadian Government through the CanGiVE project, would enhance the capacity of key stakeholders to effectively communicate risk, engage communities, and manage information during public health emergencies.
The training is part of the Strengthening and Utilising Response Groups for Emergencies Initiative, an initiative flagged off by the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Africa to effectively prepare, detect, and respond to emergencies. In her remarks at the opening ceremony, WHO Nigeria Country Representative, Walter Mulombo, represented the Acting State Coordinator for WHO in Lagos, Memuna Esan emphasised the importance of risk communication, and community engagement in preventing the spread of diseases. Esan noted that the training programme is crucial in ensuring that Nigeria is better prepared to respond to public health emergencies, adding that WHO is committed to supporting the Nigerian government in ach.
