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Advocacy in Micronutrient Programs

Advocacy in Micronutrient Programs. Dr. Azza Gohar Training Unit National Nutrition Institute Egypt. Micronutrient Deficiencies. Among the Most Prevalent Health Problems Worldwide Yet Programs may have the least Success achieved Enthusiasm directed at solutions. Why ?.

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Advocacy in Micronutrient Programs

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  1. Advocacy in Micronutrient Programs Dr. Azza Gohar Training Unit National Nutrition Institute Egypt

  2. Micronutrient Deficiencies Among the Most Prevalent Health Problems Worldwide Yet Programs may have the least • Success achieved • Enthusiasm directed at solutions

  3. Why ? Micronutrient deficiencies • Don’t always have easily noticeable symptoms & warning signs • May remain unrecognized despite their devastating impact • May not be viewed as a priority

  4. Common Communication Goals Most Health/Nutrition Programs • Build Concern for Problem • Motivate Action • Sustain the Solution

  5. Who? Not Only End Beneficiaries But Also • Government Decision/policy-makers • NGO Partners • Medical Community • Religious Leaders • Industry • Mass Media • Other Professional groups

  6. We Need Them To Be…. • Aware there is a problem • Know how to solve it • Convinced there is a benefit in doing so • Convinced that it is feasible

  7. Communication Strategy In order To Succeed & have Sustained impact Needs more Positive reinforcement by Advocacy

  8. General Steps for Advocacy in Health Programs • Confirm that the problem exists (prevalence) • Define the Impact of the problem (individual/national) • Show that the Chosen approach is a proven and tested solution for this problem (experiences) • Describe the potential benefits and cost-effectiveness (Communicate the cost/benefit (problem/solution) • Alleviate the fears and concerns of targets (identified by research eg. FGD…..)

  9. Remember……..When Advocating Focus on ways to present the problem Most Simply and Dramatically Tailored According to Target Group

  10. Lack of Effective AdvocacyStrategies Leads to Lack ofPriority & Awareness Lack of Support Increased Fears and Suspicions Reflecting itself as program problems

  11. Thank You

  12. Advocacy Guidelines Dr. Azza Gohar Training Unit National Nutrition Institute Egypt

  13. Advocacy Presentation to Medical Community

  14. What to Tell Medical Community According to the level/type • Magnitude of the problem • Impact on health • Safety of fortified foods/Other countries successes • Impact of food fortification on health • No Impact on Clinical Conditions (Thalassemia) • Role in Patient Information

  15. Research, ……..Research,….. Research………

  16. Define the Problem & its Magnitude • Define & describe the problem & its causes • Confirm the problem exists in quantity (prevalence by age –sex-geographical..) • Mention actual facts on biological , Dietary & consumption indicators

  17. Define & Clarify Impact of the Problem on health • Clinical Impacts: Mortality rates, Morbidity rates, maternal deaths, still births , LBW, immunity, childhood development, disabilities/impairments • Social Impacts: IQ/intelligence, mental capacity, school performance, work performance

  18. Impact of Food Fortification on Health Problem Give examples for comparisons • Other rich food sources (food tables) in numbers • Other Countries that solved the problem by food fortification (names & numbers)

  19. Give Evidence of Safety of Fortified Foods • Safety of Level (type of fortificant) • Evidence that • Individuals not at risk can consume the fortified food safely • Fortification process has a very good QC & QA system • Successful Examples of Industrialized & Similar Countries

  20. DescribePossible Side Effects • Describe clearly any side effects from consumption of Fortified food if any and how to handle • Describe proper management and what to say to their patients in that case • Describe clearly any changes expected in color, taste, appearance, odor, texture of fortified food

  21. Remember…. • Involve them as part of the solution • Motivate them to share

  22. Thank You

  23. What to Tell Decision -Makers • Magnitude of the problem (According to Sector) • National Cost of neglecting it • Cost- effectiveness & efficacy of fortification • Safety of fortification • Experiences in other countries

  24. General population (Consumers) • Define the problem simply • Impact of problem on health, well being, productivity, intelligence….. • Safety of fortificant • Expected changes in taste or color • Expected side effects • Expected cost

  25. Food producers (Millers)/ Food distributors (Bakers) • Cost of new technology • Technical Feasibility & Know how • Marketing Benefits & Profits • Other countries successful experiences • Types , level & Safety of fortificant • Expected extra work load • Shelf life and storage

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