Unicef launches communication campaign to honour frontline health workers for service to humanity

Gibson Mhaka

IN a move aimed at celebrating and honouring frontline health workers for playing an essential role in the primary health system, Unicef has launched a communication campaign dubbed “Champions of Health” to highlight their dedication to duty  and service to humanity.

In a statement, the agency said central to Unicef’s communication campaign on health were the profiles of village health workers and professional nurses, which will be featured on the website of Unicef Zimbabwe and different social media platforms.

“Village health workers and nurses at primary health facilities are crucial in ensuring access to basic health services in Zimbabwe. To highlight their work, Unicef is launching a “Champions of Health” communication campaign through different communication channels.

“The campaign will coincide with the upcoming World Water Day later this month, as well as World Health Day and the Immunization Week in April.

“Media will be invited to cover stories on the village health workers and professional nurses following media briefings and through media visits in the field. A radio campaign with Public Service Announcements with messages from frontline health workers will be broadcast on Star FM and community radios,” the statement reads in part.

The communication on health will also highlight the collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Unicef and health partners in supporting the work of village health workers and professional nurses.

The agency said Zimbabwe had made notable progress in access to basic health services.

“This progress was primarily made possible by Zimbabwe’s adoption of the Primary Health Care approach supported by the contributions of the village health workers and the professional nurses in the delivery of primary healthcare services.

“They are instrumental in ensuring basic health services are available to those in need and generating demand for health services by the population, including immunization, which, together with Vitamin A supplementation, is one of the most cost-effective childhood health interventions,” the statement further reads.