In a bid to ensure communities are well-equipped and strengthened to handle future health emergencies, the Janna Health Foundation, in collaboration with SUFFABEL and supported by the Global Fund, organised a comprehensive workshop on Community Engagement and Pandemic Preparedness and Response (COPPER CE).
The workshop was held in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria, and drew participants from Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa states.
The workshop began with a one-day inception meeting, setting the stage for the two-day intensive training sessions that followed.
The programme aimed to prepare communities to effectively respond to potential outbreaks, fostering resilience in the face of public health threats.
Mr Paul Balogun, the Project Coordinator of COPPER CE, who introduced the Community Engagement and Pandemic Preparedness and Response programme and emphasised the vital role that community involvement plays in pandemic resilience.
He explained that empowering local communities with the right tools and information is essential to ensuring a swift and effective response to health emergencies.
Balogun underscored the urgency of community engagement in pandemic planning, ensuring that local communities are not only informed but also empowered to act swiftly in the face of any future outbreaks.
He highlighted the importance of community engagement in pandemic preparedness, stressing that it is crucial for building resilient communities.
The workshop brought together health experts and advocates, including Dr Suraj Abdulkarim, founder of SUFFABEL and Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Gombe State Ministry of Health.
Abdulkarim delivered an insightful presentation on the One Health Approach for effective pandemic preparedness and response, emphasising the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
Other key highlights of the workshop included sessions on community engagement in pandemic preparedness, led by Mr John Tobias, North-East Zonal Coordinator of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA); pandemic preparedness and response in the context of climate change, led by Mr Michael Onimisi; and advocacy for effective pandemic preparedness and response, led by Faridah Dunaman.
Throughout the training, participants were engaged in interactive sessions, equipping them with practical knowledge and skills to improve community involvement in pandemic response efforts.
The workshop proved to be a timely and necessary intervention, as the world continues to grapple with the impacts of past pandemics and the looming threat of future outbreaks.
The workshop was an eye-opener for participants, who were actively involved in discussions and practical exercises. It emphasized the critical role of community engagement in pandemic preparedness and response, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts across sectors to prevent and manage outbreaks.
