Strengthening risk communication systems for public health emergencies in the WHO South-East Asia Region
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World Health Organization. Regional Office for South-East Asia
Abstract
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Risk communication and community engagement are critical aspects of public health emergencypreparedness and response and therefore one of the eight original core capacities of the InternationalHealth Regulations (2005). Joint external evaluations in eight out of eleven countries of the WorldHealth Organization South-East Asia Region reveal that there is considerable variation in riskcommunication capacities among countries. Of the five areas evaluated – risk communication systems,internal and partner coordination, public communication, community engagement and listening, andrisky behaviour and misinformation – the strongest areas, across the region, are partner coordinationand community engagement, while risk communication systems is the weakest area and needs furtherstrengthening. For strong and sustainable risk communication for public health emergencies in theWHO South East Asia Region, institutionalized capacity-building supported by increased budgetaryallocations to this area is needed. There is a strong need for advocacy to and sensitization of keypolicy-makers and decision-makers at country level regarding the importance and advantages of beingprepared on risk communication plans and systems.
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