Programme Communication for Immunisation Plus

UNICEF Immunization Plus Retreat

May 2002

Silvia Luciani, Senior Communication Advisor,

Programme Communication/Social Mobilisation Unit, PDUNICEF HQs

Please contact: Waithira Gikonyo

Programme Communication Officer

wgikonyo@unicef.org

Click here to download a Power Point Presentation of this document.

Goal for 2005 & Objectives 2002-2003

Programme communication supports the overall Immunization Plus Goals

Objectives 2002-2003:

• Increase field capacity in strategic communication planning;
• Ensure integration of a communication component within national Immunization Plus plans;

Status as of today

Lessons from the polio eradication experience & other programme experience

• Integration of communication within national plans & accountability;
• Synergy within different communication strategies;
• Value of dedicated human resources;
• Centrality of inter-personal communication skills & client-friendly attitudes of health workers and vaccinators;
• Critical to ensure participation of community leaders & partners at all levels;
• Integration of communication within micro-planning;
• Specific communication strategies needed to reach hard-to-reach groups;
• Integration of communication indicators (process & impact) within routine M&E.

Communication Human Resources

• Can we do it without human bodies? Experience in late ‘80s;
• COs, ROs and HQs staffing;
• Assessment of present status of human resources needed;
• Building on the polio network;
• Dedicated human resources in critical countries a must;
• Sustainability at government level?
• Capacity building and training.

Main Activities to Achieve Objectives

Human resources assessment

Provision of technical support - Regional communication (applied) training workshop to revise/improve on existing strategic plans

Adaptation of tools:

• IPC training modules
• Indicators & assessment tools
• Planning framework
• Lessons, etc.

Challenges

• Limited availability of dedicated & skilled communication specialists in FOs & within Governments;
• Limited inter-personal communication skills & client-friendly attitudes of service providers;
• Verticality of interventions re: different antigens & “taste” for a campaign approach;
• Expectation that when everything else fails, communication has to sort it out.

Solutions

• Communication capacity building of UNICEF & partners - especially in government - through applied training and sustained technical back-up;
• Institutionalise IPC of service providers - using adaptable modules for all levels of training;
• Adapt existing technical guidance - deal with integration, what can be expected from communication, and how to do it.