Directorate of Health Promotion and Education
Michael M. Mendy
Director
Overview
The primary responsibility of the Directorate is to plan, coordinate, and implement all health promotion and education interventions within the Ministry of Health.
The Directorate is divided into main program units and has affiliated Regional Health Promotion Officers in the seven health regions:
- Health Communication Division: Encompasses the Public Health Information Center (PHIC 1025) and the Media Monitoring Center.
- School Health and Nutrition Unit:
- Regional Health Promotion Officers: These officers represent the Directorate at the regional level and are responsible for all health promotion activities in their respective regions.
- Planning, designing, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of health promotion interventions.
- Developing, standardizing, disseminating, and coordinating health information and messages.
- Monitoring and evaluation of health promotion and education interventions.
- Infodemic Management: Addressing the spread of misinformation, particularly during public health crises, through the Public Health Information Center.
- Collaboration with technology and social media platforms.
Health Communications
- Plan, coordinate, and implement the Ministry of Health’s health communication and social mobilization activities.
- Coordinate and organize Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) communication and Social Mobilization task force meetings with partners, Civil Society Organizations, Local Government Authorities, and Community Leaders.
- Coordinate sensitization and social mobilization before and during National Immunization Days (NIDs) and Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs).
- Coordinate UNICEF-sponsored 4+4+ Key Household Behaviors interventions in the three poorest regions of The Gambia.
- Coordinate and operate the PHIC 1025, creating public awareness, managing rumors, and handling grievance reports and feedback.
- Prepare the UNICEF annual work plan on Communication and Social Mobilization for the unit and develop operational plans.
- Prepare funding requests to UNICEF, WHO, WAHO, and UNDP for communication and social mobilization activities.
- Coordinate the creation and distribution of health promotion materials such as leaflets, posters, T-shirts, and banners.
- Coordinate television and radio programs on health and health-related issues for the Ministry of Health and partners.
Nutrition Services
- Treatment of Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM).
- Capacity Building and Training for all nutrition-related activities.
- Policy Development and Implementation.
- Nutritional Support in Emergencies.
- Collaboration with International Organizations.
- Resource Mobilization and Distribution for nutrition interventions.
School Health Services
- Health Education and Promotion in Schools.
- School-Based Health Services.
- School-Based Nutrition Programs.
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Schools.
- Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
