Anitgua, November 12th, 2013 -- Representatives from various government departments met last week to discuss developing a national risk communication plan for Antigua and Barbuda, and to introduce the basic components of risk communication planning.
The move is to ensure that individuals who are likely to be involved in the management of crisis situations in Antiqua and Barbuda understand the reasons for establishing a formal, written risk/outbreak communication plan. The meeting also sought to secure early buy-in and support from key stakeholders.
During the meeting presentations were delivered by Mr Lionel Michael, Chief Environmental Health Officer and Mrs Larone Hyland, Public Health Specialist, PAHO/WHO Office for Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Countries.
The presentations outlined an emphasis on Antigua and Barbuda’s obligation to improve risk communication as a basic requirement of good public health practice. The country’s legal mandate to improve risk/outbreak communication as one of the core capacity under the revised International Health Regulations of 2005 was also highlighted.
Additional areas of focus included the need to incorporate the principle of transparency, including early announcement of any impending public health crisis, as the foundation of sound risk/outbreak communication planning, with an overriding aim of promoting public safety.
The broader mandate of building national capacities by strengthening surveillance systems, improving laboratory investigations and enhancing port health procedures were mentioned as additional areas that are receiving national attention to facilitate full IHR compliance.
The presentations were well received by participants with enthusiastic follow up discussions highlighting among other things, the fact that early involvement of the private sector was desirable and could enhance the chance of implementing a successful plan. It was also noted that deliberate strategies should be integrated to reach any groups that may be external to the mainstream of the society, including a small Spanish speaking community which may be residing in of Antigua and Barbuda.
At the conclusion of the meeting a proposal for follow up activities was outlined. This included the development of a template for the Antigua and Barbuda Risk Communication Plan which would be circulated to the stakeholders who were present and others for their input. This would allow for the development of a draft plan which would be finalized after undergoing a refinement at a larger national meeting by early next year.
In attendance at the meeting were representatives of various government departments including the Mount St. John’s Medical Centre, the Immigration Department, the Ministry of Health’s departments of Medicine, Environmental Health and Nursing, the National Emergency Operations Committee, the Freedom of Information Office, the New Media Unit – Ministry of Telecommunication Science and Technology, and the Antigua Port Authority.
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