Engaging with and using media as a tool for advocacy and demand generation of health seeking behaviour

• Geography: 10 districts of Chhattisgarh
• Supported by: SECL
• Focus: Strengthening Media Engagement on Health

About the project: The project aims to create and share health content with media, sensitise media personnel on health reporting and interact with IEC officials on health communication.

Achievements: During the period, a total of 26,925 health reports, created by CFAR, were published in print media and news portals.  Health coverage peaked in the month of December 2020 and coverage was mostly on COVID-19 vaccination and 679 stories on mental health were published.  From March 2020 to 20 July 2021, tracked and monitored total 37,695 reports on COVID-19. Of these, informative reports were-28271 and problematic- 9423. Of the total informative reports as many as 8,736 were facilitated by CFAR. CFAR sensitised over 300 journalists on health reporting and facilitated 26,926 reports on health using print media, digital media, radio and TV.

Additionally, four audio-video products on COVID-19 and CAB were created and two radio programmes on COVID-19 vaccination were supported. In two AVs, the then Secretary Health featured and in the two radio programmes – one on a Community Radio and another one on private FM channels—the then State Immunisation Officer featured. Six street shows on CAB, COVID-19 prevention and vaccination were organized along with five signature campaigns in the popular malls across the State along with rangoli making competitions. Two documentaries on nutrition during Poshan Maah were also created. All the products were shared with the funders and the Department of Health and Family Welfare.   A set of media guidelines on Coronavirus reporting was drafted and shared with the National Health Mission.