The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has inaugurated a multi-sectoral Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Team to bolster the response to public health emergencies. The team was officially launched in Abuja on Friday, concluding a two-day workshop for its members.
Comprised of representatives from various secretariats, departments, agencies, media, religious bodies, civil society organizations, and NGOs, the RCCE Team is tasked with addressing public health emergencies and engaging communities across the six area councils of the FCT.
The RCCE Team’s responsibilities include enhancing communication, community engagement, research, and establishing best practices in managing public health emergencies. Dr. Babagana Adam, Permanent Secretary of the Health Services and Environmental Secretariat, FCTA, emphasized that the strategy aims to equip communities with crucial public health information. Represented by Dr. Obanewa Olayinka, Adam highlighted the move’s role in addressing gaps in the One Health Concept implementation, an approach that seeks to balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems.
Adam explained that Risk Communication and Community Engagement involves two-way communication, rumor control, and participatory engagement to help communities mitigate disease outbreaks and minimize their impact. He stressed the importance of empowering FCT communities through comprehensive engagements and effective feedback mechanisms, utilizing a bottom-up approach.
Dr. Doris John, Director of the Public Health Department, noted that FCT is the first among Nigeria’s 36 states to establish such a team. Represented by FCT Epidemiologist Dr. Theresa Nwachukwu, John mentioned that the team was formed following a Joint External Evaluation that rated FCT’s emergency response capacity below 50 percent. The new multi-sectoral team is expected to enhance the FCT’s ability to handle public health emergencies.
Mr. Micheal Okali, Senior Health Education Officer at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, stated that the RCCE Team would enable unified responses to emergencies and streamline community engagement efforts.
