PAHO donates equipment to Belize in risk communication efforts

Belize: To boost communication efforts on the risks associated with COVID-19, the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO / WHO) donated several equipment and materials to the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHW) to support their COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

During a global pandemic like COVID-19, community-based preventive measures are crucial to combat and control this disease. Thus, appropriate risk communication plans and actions are essential to introduce and ensure public health interventions and raise awareness of the severity of the pandemic.

Good communication management is the key to a successful vaccination campaign and for people to accept and receive the vaccine and recommend it to others. Additionally, successfully managed communication mitigates the impact of potential adverse events and demonstrates accountability and transparency.

As the Department of Health and Welfare continues its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the equipment donated is primarily intended to improve its ability to develop and disseminate the health campaigns needed to encourage behaviour change positive and informed decision-making.

Equipment included:

15 Public address systems (PA) / loudspeakers
6 projectors with extendable ceiling / wall support
1 DSLR video camera
1 wireless microphone for interviews
1 teleprompter
1 Laminating machine
1 video tripod
1 camera stabilizer
5 SD cards 128 GB
300 chairs
657 COVID-19 posters

As we continue to face these unprecedented times due to COVID-19, it has become increasingly necessary to keep the public informed of appropriate health measures and to strengthen the risk communication component as a essential tool to provide the population with relevant and empowering information regarding COVID-19 vaccines as a vital defense in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.