The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in South Africa held a landmark series of training sessions aimed at bolstering the skills of its technical officers in policy advocacy and media engagement. These comprehensive training efforts were conducted from March 11th to 15th, 2024, at the Protea Hotel in Johannesburg, Balalaika Sandton, and were facilitated by PATH ,a globally recognized leader in health policy advocacy and Africa Minds a media consulting agency.

The initial policy advocacy training, spearheaded by Dr. Joseph Mwangi, WHO South Africa Medical Advisor for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, ran from March 11th to 13th. This training sought to empower WHO South Africa staff with the necessary skills and tools to effectively advocate for policy changes and mobilize resources. It emphasized the critical process of informing and influencing policymakers to adopt evidence-based policies and global health strategies. Utilizing PATH's proven 10-Part Framework for Advocacy Strategy Development, participants gained insights into the continuum of policy processes, from agenda setting to implementation and evaluation. The sessions were interactive and participatory, allowing for a rich exchange of ideas and experiences among attendees. A highlight of the training was the policy/knowledge café, where seasoned advocates shared their personal stories and practical insights, enhancing the learning experience.

Building on the momentum from the policy advocacy training,  Ms. Tatenda Musinahama, the WHO South Africa Communication Officer facilitated a dedicated media training session which followed from 14 - 15 March 2024. The media training was conducted in collaboration with broadcasting specialist, and the media training focused on enhancing the media engagement skills of WHO South Africa's technical officers. The sessions covered effective media engagement strategies, crisis communication, and handling challenging interview situations. The training aimed to ensure that WHO messaging and accurate health information were effectively communicated to the public and stakeholders, thereby countering misinformation and disinformation and boosting the organization’s visibility.

This dual-focus training initiative responded to a functional review that underscored the need for enhanced media engagement capabilities within the WHO South Africa Country Office. With the appointment of a dedicated communication officer, the office recognized the importance of empowering technical officers to interact confidently and professionally with the media. The training has already yielded significant results, with technical officers participating in four TV appearances, six radio interviews, and generating several news articles within four months post-training. 

The combined efforts of these training programs have significantly enhanced the advocacy and media engagement skills of WHO South Africa staff. This initiative has not only increased the willingness of technical officers to participate in media interviews but also positioned them as credible voices in public health discussions. By effectively communicating accurate health information, WHO South Africa continues to play a pivotal role in shaping public health policies and ensuring informed public discourse. These trainings represent a critical investment in the organization's ability to influence policy, mobilize resources, and advocate for better health outcomes for all South Africans.