COVID-19 TEST AND TREAT ADVOCACY IN LMICS

Background:  Many countries have been able to identify surges and limit transmission of COVID-19 through widespread use of tests coupled with public health interventions. To strengthen more widespread testing and upscale vaccinations against COVID-19, the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) and Unitaid awarded a community-based advocacy project to Shifa Foundation. The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics is a charitable foundation based in Switzerland. The official title of this project is “COVID-19 Test and Treat Advocacy in LMICs”.

The project aims to drive context-sensitive advocacy strategies supported by accessible advocacy and communication materials to increase awareness and prioritization of COVID-19 testing as a key element of the COVID-19 response as well as generate demand for testing at the community level. 

Key activities to be performed:

  • Community sessions with opinion leaders, social workers, religious persons
  • Meeting with Parliamentarian and decision makers to improve access to COVID-19 testing
  • Development and Dissemination of IEC Materials
  • Establishment of Digital Media Platform for social media campaign
  • Press releases to make the project achievements public through well-known national newspapers
  • Engagement of celebrities to raise awareness among the communities

 

Deliverables:

  • Increase access and uptake to COVID-19 testing and therapeutics, as they get recommended, through development and implementation of robust and evidence-based advocacy strategies supported by advocacy, literacy and communication materials and initiatives adapted to specific population groups, regional and country contexts
  • Disseminate and amplify these materials and initiatives through appropriate communication channels to increase prioritization of COVID-19 testing and linkage to treatment in the national pandemic response as well as generate demand for testing and therapeutics within relevant target groups.

 

 Coverage: National        Donor: The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND)

 Unitaid

Focus: Health & Advocacy