Date: 2017-11-22 21:10:03 ID: 1765
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – Sharing of information among countries and the communication of crisis situation the ECOWAS region: This was the theme of the 3rd Meeting of the network of ECOWAS Communication Experts on health issues. The meeting was held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from 22 to 23 November 2017 under the auspices of the West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO).
The two-day meeting, which brought together Directors of Communication from the Ministries of Health and communication professionals on health issues from media houses of ECOWAS countries, mainly aimed at consolidating the level of information on WAHO and maintaining collaboration among Directors of communication at the Ministries of health in ECOWAS countries and WAHO media professionals.
On the occasion, the Director General of WAHO and the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health of Burkina Faso, representing the Minister of health, were part of the traditional opening ceremony at the Hotel Palm Beach in Ouagadougou.
In his welcome address, the Director General of WAHO, Dr Xavier CRESPIN, recalled the genesis and history of the network. In 2015, stated the DG of WAHO, the first meeting, which took place in Ouagadougou and coincidentally in the same hotel, was just a simple meeting for the sharing of information on the life of WAHO. In October 2016, members of the network met in Abidjan to constitute the network, added Dr Crespin.
The current meeting, according to be DG was initiated not only in the spirit of strengthening the sharing of information on the life and activities of WAHO, but also with the aim of discussing the achievements and weaknesses of the network.
He emphasised the importance of sharing with members of the network the successes chalked by WAHO in the implementation of its 2016 – 2020 strategic plan, “with the completion of the various interventions”, first of all by way of information but also with a view to ensuring broad dissemination of the information in their respective countries.
He congratulated members of the network for their facilitation and involvement in the activities implemented in their countries. He however to called for more action and commitment to highlight the visibility of the interventions.
The DG/WAHO exhorted members of the network ‘‘to be creative and especially to keep in mind everyday that good information is as useful as other human needs and therefore necessary for the development of all people’’. He also expressed the desire for the actual presence of members of the network on the appropriate communication platforms of their countries and of WAHO.
Dr Crespin reiterated the commitment and determination of WAHO to support the network for the success of its activities.
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Dr Francine Ouedraogo Douamba, on behalf of the Minister of Health, delivered the opening speech.
‘‘Communication is an important part of development and of the success of human activity. From this point of view, your work, involving the relay and dissemination of information in general, and particularly in the area health, plays a major role in sensitisation for social development based on the positive values’’ stated the Minister.
The Minister, through Mrs Ouedraogo Douamba, reminded officers in charge of communication at the ECOWAS Ministries of health and media professionals, of the important role be must play: ‘‘… your various contributions in the area of communication strengthens the presence of WAHO nationality and internationally, and helps our common institution to more effectively fulfil its mission for the benefit of countries’’. She therefore invited members of the network to highlight successful country experiences and consequently share them.
Before opening the deliberations of the 3rd meeting of the network of ECOWAS Communication Experts on health, the minister extended her congratulations to the Director General of WAHO and his entire staff for the various initiatives taken in general towards the promotion of better health in West Africa, and particularly for the organisation of the meeting.
