THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region together with the UNICEF – Relief International conducted a four-day risk communication training among health workers in the 26 identified COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Support (CDS3) sites in Region 1 to build further their capacity to communicate risk in a clear, ethical, and effective manner, leading to a better risk management outcomes.
The “Risk Communication and Community Engagement – Infodemic Management (RCCE – IM) Training aims to address rumors, and misinformation by effectively communicating factual information and developing strong community engagement through listening and responding to people’s concerns.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco emphasized to the participants the importance of enabling people at risk to make informed decisions to lessen the effects of a possible threat like a disease outbreak and take protective and preventive measures to safeguard their health and well-being.
“Kailangang maibigay natin sa kanila ang tama at mapagkakatiwalaang impormasyon upang hindi lumikha ng kaguluhan na maaring makapagdulot ng pangamba at takot sa mga tao. As health workers, we must be responsible in every information we disseminate in order for the people to trust every health program of the DOH, especially vaccination,” Sydiongco emphasized.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines risk communication as the real-time exchange of information, advice, and opinions between experts, officials, and people who face a threat to their well-being, to enable informed decision-making and to adopt protective behaviors.
Risk communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) helps bridge the gap by verifying what people know, how they, feel, how they respond during disease outbreaks, and what they should do to bring the epidemic under control.
The training includes modules on Introduction to Risk Communication & Community Engagement; People-centered Risk Communication, Steps in RCCE-IM, and Addressing Rumors/Infodemics.
Updates on the National Immunization Program and “Bakuna Eskuwela” program which will be conducted in October 2024 were also presented to participants.
The RCCE – IM training was held in Dagupan City from September 17-20, 2024.
