By Amos Tauna
UNICEF in Collaboration with Nigeria’s National Orientation Agency (NOA), has concluded plans to establish 90 theatre groups in three states to mobilise and support communities to access healthcare services for healthy development of children.
The States are Kaduna, Nasarawa and Niger.
Communication for Development Specialist, UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, Eki George, made this known in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, at the opening of a 3-day Training the Trainers on Theatre for Development (TFD) from the States.
The training was organised by NOA, Kaduna State Office, with support from UNICEF to equip participants with the capacity to set up theatre groups that would periodically perform drama to promote healthy behavioural change.
George explained that the theatre groups, 30 each in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Niger states, would specifically mobilise communities on essential family practices and improve demand and uptake of health services.
He explained that the idea was to use theatre to sensitise communities and caregivers on the benefits of polio vaccines, other health services and key households practices hinged on diseases prevention.
The communication for development specialist said, “For example, another round of Oral Polio Vaccine is coming up in October. We want the theatre groups to use theatre to communicate to communities its benefits to the child, the family and the community.
“They will also be expected to mobilise and support families on uptake of polio vaccine, routine immunisation, HIV/AIDS services and other health services crucial for children survival.
“The groups would also support hand washing, sanitation and hygiene practices, exclusive breastfeeding and good complementary feeding practices, school enrolment campaign, particularly the girl child and other child development related issues.”
Earlier, NOA Director in Kaduna State, Galadima Zubairu, described theatre as effective tool for behavioural change towards building healthy communities that support survival of children.
Zubairu expressed confidence that issues on healthy behavioural change and key household practices when dramatised, would create the needed change among caregivers.
He explained that the participants were expected to step down the training in their respective states and subsequently establish the theatre groups.
His counterpart in Nasarawa state, Mrs Priscilla Gondoaluor, thanked the organisers for the training, stressing that the strategy would go a long way in mobilising communities toward healthy development of children.
“Drama is very effective in communicating health messages to the people. I am certain that we will all benefit immensely from this training,’’ she said.
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