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Advocacy success strategies in EMR and lessons learnt. Dr. Abdulaziz AlRajhi Executive Co-Chair, IAPB-EMR Dr. Mansur Rabiu Director of Programs. Advocacy. Advocacy is the process of influencing people to create change.
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Advocacy success strategies in EMR and lessons learnt • Dr. Abdulaziz AlRajhi Executive Co-Chair, IAPB-EMR • Dr. Mansur Rabiu Director of Programs
Advocacy • Advocacy is the process of influencing people to create change. • Advocacy uses information in deliberate and strategic ways to change perceptions and to influence decision-making • Advocacy ≠ education • Basic principle: If you do not ASK for it, you will not GET it. WHO Advocacy
Decision makers Decisions makers are the target of most advocacy efforts. • International • UN agencies- WHO, UNDP, UNICEF, World Bank etc • Corporate bodies, Networks, Groups and movements etc. • NGOs • National • Governments, Local NGOs, Civil societies • Community & religious, leaders, celebrities • Professional • Professional medical organizations at international, regional and national levels
What about the media? • The media can get key messages to both decision makers and influencers. • Need to work effectively with the media, as part of an overall advocacy plan. • Provide items tailored especially for the needs of journalists (reproduction quality images, broadcast footage, pre-packaged print and video media features). WHO Advocacy
EMR EMR has 23 countries
Some major advocacy successes of the EMR • All 23 EMR countries have • signed the Vision 2020 declaration, • established PB committees with a National coordinator • developed a national plan • Actively secured the support of all the EMR countries for the major WHA resolutions • WHA 56.26 in 2003, WHA 59.25 in 2006 and the WHA 62.1 in 2009 including the Action plan for prevention of blindness • Securing support of all EMR countries to request WHO to develop a follow up action plan for the prevention of blindness 2013-2019
EMR Advocacy successes • Secured the approval of all EMR countries to request the inclusion of eye health in the GPW (general program of work) of WHO for the period 2013-2019 • IAPB-EMR Chair routinely addresses the EMR Health ministers during their annual WHO EMRO meetings • Development in collaboration with WHO EMRO regional specific guidelines for control of some major blinding conditions and eye health programs like Diabetic Retinopathy 2006, Glaucoma 2009, School Eye Health 2009, Primary Eye Care 2011 etc.
If Plan A Fails Have Plan B and C !!!