The workshop involved a network of 30 participants from health communication and media units from the Iraqi Ministry of Health. The workshop was facilitated by WHO regional experts in addition to the assistant vice president of the Lebanese American University. The scientific practical experience brought in by the facilitators was enriched by the field experience of the participants.
The participants highlighted their expectations. In groups, they highlighted their priorities and challenges in dealing with media crisis. The importance of collaboration with the health promotion unit was brought into focus. The importance of media and communication having a special budget was highlighted as well as electronic media e.g Facebook. Another challenge was the use of a qualified person to transmit messages to the public, and finally, the importance of communication between the ministries underlined.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Health established the First National Association for Health Journalists on the occasion of World Health Day 2012 to ensure its commitment towards the importance of media.
Dr. Syed Jaffar Hussain, WHO Representative in Iraq reaffirmed WHO’s commitment in supporting the Government of Iraq. He reiterated the importance of collaboration between health communication and media.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Ruba Hikmat, Health Promotion Officer, World Health Organization, Iraq, Tel. +962 795096066
The panel of the Health Communication and Media Relations (WHO, 2012)
The participants pay attention to the session being held (WHO, 2012)
Dr. Ibrahim Kerdany, Media person, WHO EMRO
