Malawi to launch National Health Communication Strategy
Ministry of Health will on June 30, 2016 launch the first ever National Health Communication Strategy at a function to be held in Lilongwe.
During the day, the Ministry will also be launching National Malaria comprehensive communication strategy and Minister of Health Dr peter Kumpalume is scheduled to grace the occasion.
Fredson Kamchira, Health Education Officer in the Ministry of Health Education Unit confirmed the development in an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday.
Kamchira was speaking during skills building workshop held in Blantyre under the media for life campaign aimed at enhancing health reporting skills.
The meeting was organized by Support for Service Delivery Integration (SSDI-Communication) Project, through Galaxy Media, as part of its approach to enhancing the capacity of health stakeholders in Malawi.
Kamchira said all is set for the double launch of the strategies that will act as a milestone in the Malawi’s health sector.
“Development and execution of an effective communication strategy is essential in ensuring a reduction in the prevalence of most health problems.
“Most of the health problems like malaria, maternal health and HIV and Aids which continue to draw attention and resources in the health sector, will be easily dealt with by a comprehensive communication strategy coming in place shortly.
“The two communication strategies to be launched during the day have touched on many important areas like Tuberculosis (TB), water and sanitation, maternal and neonatal health and all of these will be dealt with through social ecological theory, goals, objectives, activities and evidence based stories among others.
“The health sector is usually constrained by many health conditions which continue to consume space in terms of budgetary allocations, however, these challenges can be addressed through various communication interventions,” said Kamchira.
He added that on the other hand, National Malaria comprehensive communication strategy has tackled several areas like empowering communities, families, and individuals to take charge of malaria control, create a demand for information and services on malaria prevention and control, stimulate community dialogue, discussion, and action on malaria control.
Said he; “The strategy also increases depth of knowledge about malaria prevention and treatment and increase coverage of social and behavior change communication (SBCC) to all communities in Malawi.
The two Health National Communication strategies have been formulated with assistance from SSDI — Communication with funding from USAID as part of support to Malawi Government in strengthening capacity of local institutions in planning and delivery of effective social and behaviour change communication interventions.
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