PARTICIPANTS ALSO GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN SOCIAL AND BEHAVIOR CHANGE (SBC) STRATEGIES AND TOOLS TO INFLUENCE HEALTH-RELATED BEHAVIORS
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, in partnership with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) recently hosted a one-day training workshop on Advanced Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) and Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) at the Bel Jou Hotel.
The workshop brought together public health officers from various departments to strengthen on their ability to communicate clearly and effectively during outbreaks, natural disasters, and other health emergencies. Participants also got the opportunity to learn Social and Behavior Change (SBC) strategies and tools to influence health-related behaviors and improve health outcomes in both routine and emergency situations. The workshop focused on building capacity to ensure the public receives timely, accurate, and trustworthy information when it matters most.
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Communications Manager at CARPHA, Carlon Kirton stressed on the need for strong crisis communication, as the Caribbean faces many health and climate-related threats. “The Caribbean region continues to face a complex landscape of health threats and this would include outbreaks, climate driven emergencies and as you know we are currently within the Hurricane season and we hope that we will escape this unscathed but as you know that in the past we have been affected by hurricanes and storms and even heavy rains and flooding. In addition to that the landscape also includes an information environment that often perpetuates low quality information and all of these things can result in confusion during times of emergencies.”
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Providing opening remarks at the workshop, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar George spoke to the growing demands placed on public health officials during outbreaks and the critical role that this training plays in preparing them to respond effectively. “We’ve been managing quite a few outbreaks increasingly with global travel and trade over the last two years, and a lot of Heads have had to face the public and face the media with very little time and very few persons actually having formal communications training to be able to manage under pressure. It is not an easy job to do but the training definitely makes it a lot easier.”
The training followed international standards and was adapted for the Caribbean, using interactive methods and real-life experiences to help participants learn from each other.
The workshop was facilitated by Elisabeth Wilhelm, Infodemic Management Consultant from CARPHA.