Cascading initiatives of NIPN-Ethiopia launched in Sidama Region
HAWASSA - May 31, 2024 (NIPN) - NIPN-Ethiopia emphasized that researchers, nutritionists, community health workers, health, data, information technology, monitoring and evaluation specialists, and communication experts, including program managers of the Sidama Public Health Institute (SiPHI), must put forth their utmost efforts to ensure the success of the cascading initiatives launched in the Sidama Region.
NIPN passed on the message through its Coordinator, Dr. Aregash Samuel, during an inception workshop held here today that all team members of SiPHI “are duty-bound to live up to expectations” in achieving nutrition and public healthcare delivery across the region.
The coordinator added that experts from NIPN-Ethiopia are always ready to provide technical support to the data, research, IT, and communication specialists, nutritionists, and program managers of SiPHI. Professionals in the stated fields and other fields can make use of this opportunity to enhance their professional skills, according to her. “We have data managers, senior researchers, nutrition advisors, and communication experts with many years of experience ready to support you. Feel free to forward questions, comments, and suggestions. These will enable us to provide better services to our community,” Dr. Aregash said.
She further stated that NIPN-Ethiopia has decided to coordinate efforts to reach the wider populace at the grassroots level. “It is our sincere belief that our joint endeavors will be successful if everyone does their part conscientiously,” Aregash said.
NIPN-Ethiopia, in collaboration with senior professionals from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), led an inception workshop to demonstrate the process of formulating policy questions (PQF). During the workshop, a Nutrition Advisor to NIPN-Ethiopia, Dr. Anbissa Muleta, and a Research Fellow from IFPRI, Dr. Taddesse Zerfu, provided detailed briefings to the participants.
They explained how to generate relevant policy questions, elaborated on NIPN's current initiatives concerning PQF, and highlighted how NIPN's approach differs from traditional policy-making processes. They also covered the steps and criteria for formulating questions, the process for selecting and processing these questions, and how the final questions are assigned to researchers at universities and Sub-National Public Health Institutes.
An advisor to NIPN from GIZ, Dr. Archana Sarkar, provided an overview of the selection process used to determine the second winner of the cascading initiative. She also discussed the implementation plan as well as the administrative and financial aspects while proceeding with work with NIPN and GIZ.
Archana briefed the participants on gender and nutrition, emphasizing the importance of gender-inclusive policy formulation, gender equity, and gender analysis. She highlighted the need for policies that consider gender inclusivity and addressed the critical aspects of creating such policies.
Furthermore, Dr. Archana announced that GIZ, in collaboration with NIPN and SiPHI, will conduct a training on gender and nutrition in Hawassa City. This training aims to enhance understanding and capacity for integrating gender perspectives into nutrition initiatives.
The data manager from NIPN, Dr. Dejen Tesfaw, conducted an extensive demonstration on metadata during the workshop. He addressed various critical topics, including NIPN’s metadata framework, data repository, and data management practices. Dr. Dejen provided detailed explanations on the preparation of codebooks, metadata description, and other essential aspects of data handling.
Additionally, he demonstrated how data experts, IT personnel, and researchers can effectively utilize NIPN’s dashboard and metadata resources. His presentation highlighted practical applications and tools available within NIPN’s data infrastructure, emphasizing their role in enhancing data-driven decision-making and research capabilities.
The Communications Officer with NIPN, Hailegebriel Endeshaw, provided an in-depth overview of the fundamental concepts of communication and journalism. He discussed the purposes of effective communication and touched on the objectives of NIPN’s communication strategy. Hailegebriel explained various methods of communication, including the use of news articles, press releases, and photographs.
He demonstrated how to compile and present important, newsworthy information, covering the essential procedures for creating impactful news stories and preparing press releases. He offered guidance and tips on press conferences, press briefings, interviews, and the dissemination of newsworthy content, and he emphasized the importance of selectivity when composing news stories.
Additionally, Hailegebriel provided insights on crafting compelling headlines and lead stories, as well as techniques for taking high-quality photographs. He also addressed the ethical considerations in journalism, particularly concerning news and photographic content, ensuring that all communications adhere to professional standards.
A diverse group of 34 professionals, including public health experts, data specialists, information technology professionals, finance and procurement officers, monitoring and evaluation experts, communication specialists, and nutritionists, attended the day-long inception workshop organized by NIPN-Ethiopia. The event was held at the Central Hotel in Hawassa City.
It is to be recalled that NIPN/EPHI and SiPHI inked memorandum of understanding yesterday to cascade NIPN’s programs in the Sidama region. (NIPN).
