Engaging CSOs and the Media to Improve Public Investments for EPR

Non-state actors including the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the media contribute immensely towards strengthening the health system and including health security architecture through evidenced based advocacy and accountability.  Therefore, as Lagos State strives to reposition its health security landscape towards more effective and efficient Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR), the role of the CSOs and the media cannot be over emphasised. It is crucial to create awareness, educate and sensitize all stakeholders on the policy, financing and institutional capacity gaps for EPR in the state to spur informed actions from the non-state actors..

Working with Lagos State health sector stakeholders towards achieving this mandate, the Preventing Epidemics (PE) Project being implemented by LISDEL facilitated a multi-stakeholder’s forum on August 30 in Lagos. The workshop themed “Multi-stakeholder forum and media parley towards improved public investment and sustaining financing for EPR in the State” was held with the overall purpose of improving the capacity of the State to better respond to public health events.

The forum, which was attended by members of the Civil Society Organization (CSO) coalition groups and various media organizations like DEVCOMS, MAMAYEE, LACSOP, and LASAM, was highly interactive and involved constructive and engaging conversations on the many EPR issues in the State. 

It was also held to deepen the knowledge of CSOs and media on Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR) and their respective roles in this area; and the current Lagos State EPR policy and financing landscape. Participants were also acquainted with the Health Security Accountability Framework and a Civil Society and Media Advocacy Technical Working Group (TWG) on EPR was established as a subunit of LACSOP, to track and sustain advocacy actions for EPR in the State as well as facilitate delivery of EPR objectives in the State.

Representatives of the various institutions present at the forum reiterated the role played by the media during other disease outbreaks and how that coverage played a significant role in the successes achieved. They recommended that intensified public health education is essential for CSOs and media to properly equip themselves with relevant knowledge. The need for community outreach was also buttressed to effectively address prevailing health issues within respective communities. The accountability structure at Local government level, the importance of continued advocacy, and inclusion of a budget line for health education were equally deemed important.

Barrister Ayo Adebusoye of LACSOP gave a call to action in securing the commitment and support of stakeholders, and participants committing to develop a CSO and Media EPR advocacy action plan.

Contributed by Eruemolor A. (LISDEL)