Southern Africa Cross-Border
Training Program

Photos: Emma Judge

		Slideshow
		Photos from AI.COMM's Southern Africa Cross-Border Training Program
		Resources
		Interpersonal Communication Skills for Avian Influenza: Veterinary and Human Health Workers (DRAFT): Training of Trainers: Facilitator Manual Facilitator Manual Participant Handouts

Between September 1-5, 2008 in Lilongwe, Malawi, AI.COMM Southern Africa conducted the first in a series of training activities to strengthen the capacity of local animal and human health officials to promote among small backyard farmers, poultry vendors, and communities in high risk border areas the prevention and control of avian influenza.

This program was conceived based on discussions with the Chairperson of the AI Technical Committee and the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development (DAHLD) in Lilongwe and field visits with Veterinary Service Officers, Ministry of Agriculture personnel, and a variety of officials from the border posts in Chitipa (Mbilima border crossing), Karonga (Songwe border crossing), the Ministry of Agriculture in Blantyre, and site visits to the Mulange, Mwanza, and Mchinji border areas.

AI.COMM will implement four-day courses, respectively, in South, Central, and North Malawi on AI fundamentals and Interpersonal Communications  (IPC) for VOs/VAs, community health officers, and a small number of key border officials (personnel from the Ministries of Health and Agriculture).  The border areas to be targeted are: 1) Mchinji (to be held in Lilongwe); 2) Karonga; 3) Mwanza; and, 4) Mulanje.

The four training sites represent the most active commercial borders in the country and represent the main land (road) entry points to Malawi. They are remote areas with limited access to AI information and pose a high risk for potential AI transmission if the H5N1 virus enters Southern Africa.  AI/IPC training and distribution of IEC materials targets 25 participants from the main border districts (typically three-four districts surround each border).  Officials to be trained are mainly:

• DVOs (District Veterinary Officers)
• Animal Health Service Assistants (AHSA)
• DADOs (District Agricultural Development Officers)
• Assistant Environmental Health Officers (Community Health Workers)
• Border officials working for the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture

Moreover, in each locale, area poultry vendors, organized by the DADOs and DVOs, will participate in a half-day AI basics seminar and site visits to the local poultry market.

The training program was organized and administered by AI.COMM partner organization, the Center for Ticks and Tick Born Diseases (CTTBD), with technical inputs and learning sessions conducted by avian influenza experts from the Ministry of Health and DAHLD.  Interpersonal communications training sessions were provided by AI.COMM specialists.  Participants received AI manuals, signs of AI identification cards, IPC training materials, and IEC posters, leaflets and brochures.

Following the training, one participant evaluating the program wrote, “Marvelous facilitators please keep it up so that you do the same in the Karonga and Mwanza Districts.  God bless you!”