Stakeholders co-create integrated SBC materials to boost healthcare delivery

In a bid to strengthen health literacy and improve the uptake of essential medical services across Nigeria, over 50 health stakeholders have converged in Lagos for a comprehensive Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Messages and Materials Development Workshop.

The initiative highlights the critical role of robust health communication in saving lives, particularly in preventing malaria, supporting maternal health, and expanding access to HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services.

Led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the workshop received technical assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO) Nigeria country office, with funding provided by the Global Fund.

During the collaborative sessions, participants co-created seven distinct integrated communication assets designed to drive behavioral change and stimulate community demand for vital health interventions.

The newly developed materials include structured flip charts designed for frontline health workers, alongside educational leaflets and brochures tailored for women, men, and families.

Additionally, the stakeholders produced targeted radio spots and optimized social media content aimed at delivering clear, accessible, and people-centered messages on malaria, HIV, TB, SRHR, and viral hepatitis.

The multi-sectoral project drew collaboration from several key institutional partners, including the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). State Health Promotion Officers, media professionals, and international development partners also contributed to the co-creation process.

The deployment of these integrated communication tools is expected to bridge the gap between healthcare availability and community utilization across Nigeria’s rural and urban populations.