The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) has urged county governments to work closely with the media to help highlight successes achieved in the health sector, in the county levels.
AMWIK Executive Director Queenter Mbori said over the years poor communication has created a vacuum for speculation and propaganda, hindering county governments’ intended outcomes especially in the health sector.
Mbori was speaking during the opening of the three-day USAID-USAWA Co-creation workshop in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
the meeting has brought together County Government and County media representatives from Isiolo, Kakamega, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Nakuru Counties.
“We encourage you to collaborate with the media to showcase your positive work and use the media to address challenges you face, ensuring citizens can benefit from improved services,” said Mbori.
She said that each county has unique dynamics when it comes to health communication, and as such it is crucial for communicators to understand the current state of affairs and the crucial role media plays in disseminating information on matters of health.
The meeting, she said, aims to train and equip county communication teams to enhance their communication efforts to achieve their goals and effectively communicate their impact in the health sector.
"Communication is not just about delivering a message; it is about doing so in a way that resonates with the audience and enabling feedback from them. We aim to equip communicators with the skills they need to develop targeted, culturally relevant, and impactful messages that will drive behavior change and improve health outcomes,” Mbori said.
She further implored on the media that they have a crucial role to play in debunking issues in the health sector and collaborating with counties.
“The discussions we will have during this workshop will be instrumental in shaping how we deliver critical health messages to our communities and help strengthen fiscal accountability and promote health governance,” she said.
Nakuru County chief officer for ICT, E-Government and Public Communication Catherine Changwony in her remarks stated that health communication is a vital tool in ensuring that the right messages reach citizens in a timely, effective manner, especially as county governments address issues critical to public health.
The workshop she said is more than just a meeting saying that it is an opportunity to exchange knowledge, to identify the gaps in current systems, and to work collaboratively towards solutions that are impactful and sustainable.
“Let us use this platform to build stronger ties, innovate solutions, and chart a course toward healthier, more informed communities,” said Changwony.
The united society against fraud, waste and abuse (USAWA) program is being implemented by Transparency International Kenya in partnership with AMWIK , Global compact network Kenya and the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya.
