Abbottabad: Operation Enduring Center (OCC) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa organized a one-day workshop on the role of media in polio eradication at a local hotel on Thursday with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The workshop focused on increasing the knowledge of the program and the correct way of communicating efforts to eradicate polio, countering misinformation and negative propaganda, and empowering participants to understand the importance of eradicating polio and their role in achieving it.
The workshop was attended by UNICEF Program Manager Dr. Wisam Hazem, President of Peshawar Press Club Arshad Aziz Malik, former PPC President Muhammad Riaz, UNICEF, WHO and WHO officials, senior journalists, bureau chiefs of various media channels and health officials from various print and electronic media channels.
UNICEF Program Manager Dr. Wisam Hazem, speaking at the opening ceremony of the workshop, said that journalists can shape public opinion in favor of polio vaccination. Dr. Wissam Hazem said UNICEF supports the eradication of polio to eliminate vaccination and address public concerns, eliminate vaccine hesitancy, stop boycotts and create positive attitudes in support of polio vaccines. However, he added that the mass media can play an important role in promoting polio vaccination, countering negative propaganda against the vaccine and dispelling misconceptions and myths among the public. Referring to the meaning
In a technical presentation on polio eradication, Dr. Nabeel Liaqat, WHO Provincial Disease Control Officer, highlighted the origin, epidemiology of polio virus, different types of polio virus and vaccine, and the importance of eradicating polio through routine polio vaccination. He asked for the media’s support in building public confidence and changing public attitudes towards vaccination to eradicate the virus from the last endemic zones.
Shadab Asunas, UNICEF Communications Officer, during the external communication session, highlighted the importance of proper health reporting and explained the importance of health reporting to protect and improve public health. By providing valuable insight into health trends and issues, health reports help shape public health strategies and necessary legislation, he said. Referring to the fight against polio, he explained that polio reporting requires special skills and technical knowledge and told participants to master the skills to ensure effective reporting. He called on people who hesitate to be vaccinated against polio to support the media to produce interesting stories, documentaries and provide a neutral and reliable voice to change public perception.
Senior journalist and trainer Safiullah Gul guides participants on how to develop impactful stories for print and electronic media that can touch the emotions of their audience and bring about positive public health change.
The President thanked the IOC and UNICEF for organizing an Orientation Session for Journalists who spoke at the final session of the Peshawar Press Club, Arshad Aziz Malik. Commenting on the media’s support for the national polio cause, he said that the seminar was attended by senior journalists, members of the press club, as well as a large number of health workers from print and electronic media. . Arshad Aziz Malik stressed the need to conduct capacity building workshops for journalists and said the press club could provide technical support in this regard.
The launch workshop was a very meaningful and interactive session and the participants offered valuable contributions to enhance polio eradication efforts and ensure the eradication of this crippling disease.
The session ended with the distribution of shields and certificates among the participants.
