SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) in the Ilocos Region, in partnership with UNICEF-Relief International, has equipped health workers with essential risk communication skills to enhance public health preparedness and response.
From September 17-20, a training was conducted in Dagupan City for participants from the 26 identified COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Support (CDS3) sites in Region 1.
The goal was to bolster their ability to communicate effectively, ethically, and clearly about health risks, leading to better public understanding and behavior change.
The Risk Communication and Community Engagement – Infodemic Management (RCCE – IM) training focused on addressing misinformation and rumors by providing accurate information and fostering strong community engagement through active listening and responding to concerns.
Participants learned about the principles of RCCE, people-centered risk communication, steps in RCCE-IM, and strategies for countering misinformation.
Additionally, updates on the National Immunization Program and the “Bakuna Eskuwela” program were shared to keep participants informed about ongoing health initiatives.
DOH Ilocos Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco emphasized the importance of empowering people with accurate and reliable information to make informed decisions and take protective measures against potential health threats.
“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 [piece of] information we disseminate in order for the people to trust every health program of the DOH, especially vaccination,” Sydiongco emphasized.
(We need to be able to give them the correct and reliable information so as not to create chaos that can cause fear and fear in the people. 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.)
Judith Ranario, a participant, expressed gratitude for the training, saying, “As a frontline health worker, effective communication is essential for building trust and dispelling misinformation. The skills we’ve learned will be invaluable in guiding our communities through challenging times.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines risk communication as the timely exchange of information between experts, officials, and the public to facilitate informed decision-making and promote protective behaviors.
RCCE plays a crucial role in bridging the information gap by understanding the public’s knowledge, feelings, and actions during disease outbreaks.
By strengthening the capacity of health workers to communicate effectively, the DOH and UNICEF are making significant strides in improving public health preparedness and response in the Ilocos Region. (AMB/PIA Region 1)
