During 2012, the CTCA implemented its capacity building plan for the five target countries. A summary of the activities that were implemented to increase knowledge and skills of policy makers and generate commitment from key government stakeholder departments is included below
Uganda
1. The CTCA Tobacco control leadership training was organized by WHO and the John Hopkins University. It was coordinated by the Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa and held in Kampala from 3rd to 8th November 2011. The training attracted 7 International participants from Botswana, Cameroon, Tanzania, Kenya and the Republic of South Africa. 12 participants were from Civil Society organizations (Uganda Health Communications Alliance, Uganda National Association for Community and Occupational Health and the Uganda National Tobacco control Association) and from Government departments including Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries, Ministry of Finance, National Agricultural Advisory Services, the Uganda Revenue Authority and the National Mental Hospital- Butabika. The CTCA also participated by training 5 staff.
The main Program Learning Objective was;
To impart knowledge on tobacco control to African participants
While the specific Program Learning Objectives were: Participants will:
- Have strengthened their skills in program planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, strategic communication, and advocacy;
- Be able to apply principles and theories of best practices in tobacco control to address country-specific issues and challenges;
- Have enhanced leadership and networking skills to affect policy development and implementation; and,
- Be able to engage with and enhance collaboration among a wide range of partners in the tobacco control movement.
A full report and pictorials are included on this page for your viewing.
2. National Stakeholder Workshop to Develop a Tobacco Control Policy for Uganda
Supported by WHO and coordinated by CTCA in partnership with the Ministry of Health Uganda, the workshop held in Mukono on 9th to 12th November 2011 on policy development had the following objectives:
• Review of key national obligations in the FCTC
• Discuss key recommendations of the capacity assessment report
• Develop a National Tobacco Control Policy
• Develop a work plan for implementation of key recommendations of the capacity assessment
The main outcome of the workshop was a draft National Tobacco control Bill and Policy for the country.
3. Workshop on tobacco control for the National Curriculum Development Centre
The two day national workshop to orient the Education curriculum Specialists and review the curriculum to identify spaces and ways of integrating tobacco control in the Uganda educational curriculum for Primary, Secondary and BTVT was held on 9th-10th February 2012 at the National Curriculum Development Centre-Kyambogo. The workshop which was attended by 40 Subject Specialists for Primary, Secondary and technical education-BTVET was held in line with the capacity assessment recommendation to Ministry of Education and Sports to, “Build capacity of the health and education systems for developing and implementing education and training activities on tobacco control.’’ In addition, the workshop is one way of fulfilling the Centre Mission, ‘’ to reduce the consumption of tobacco by supporting governments in implementing evidence-based tobacco control strategies in Africa.’’ Realising that tobacco consumption is increasing among the youths in Uganda and that most people enrol into tobacco use mostly during the formative stage, CTCA employs multi-sectoral strategies including curriculum review in order to curtail the increasing consumption trend.
The workshop objectives are outlined below:
• To sensitize staff from the Ministry of Education and Sports on tobacco control
• To share the need to include tobacco control in the curriculum
• To suggest ways of integrating tobacco control content in the curriculum under each department
• To identify subjects under which tobacco control can be integrated.
• To identify entry points in specific subjects
The outcome of the workshop was the identification of the need to develop an MOU between the Ministry of Education and Sports and the CTCA and to mobilize resources to implement an action plan that was realized during the workshop. A full report is included.
Kenya
1. Training of Trainers in Tobacco control for Kenya
The training was held in Fairmont Hotel in Nairobi for 5 days from 11th -15th June 2012 and was facilitated by Experts in tobacco control from Kenya, the CTCA, Capacity Development Team of WHO and Ministry of Health Uganda. About 32 participants from Ministry of Public Health at the national and provincial levels (Public Health Officers)in Kenya, Civil Society Organizations’ and other government departments (Nairobi City council, National Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse authority-NACADA) participated in the training. The training was officially opened, coordinated and closed by the Ministry of Public Health Kenya and was graced by the presence of Dr. Nato from the WHO Kenya.
The training objectives are highlighted
• Increase Human Resource with Knowledge for tobacco control policy change and program implementation in Kenya
• Increase knowledge of policy makers and Civil Society representatives on the dangers and impact of tobacco production, use and exposure to tobacco smoke.
• Understand global /regional efforts and available strategies (WHO-FCTC) to reduce tobacco
• Generate key actions on how to fill the gaps in tobacco control interventions in Kenya
A full report and pictorials are included
South Africa:
The CTCA supported the department of Public Health of South Africa to carry out provincial level workshops on drafting regulations for Smoke Free Environments. This is an ongoing activity that the Department of South Africa will continue to take leadership on during the upcoming year.
Mauritania:
1. Capacity assessment for National tobacco control
The tobacco control capacity assessment was carried out following a request for support by the Government of Mauritania to WHO, to assess the status of tobacco control in the country in relation to the provisions of the WHO- FCTC. The assessment was jointly carried out by the Government of Mauritania, WHO and the Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa (CTCA). A team of seven international and five national experts discussed with important key informants from government departments, academic institutions and civil society organizations.
The objectives of the capacity assessment highlighted below were met and full report on the findings and recommendations of the assessment will be shared as soon as its finalized.
• To gain a better understanding of the country’s strength and opportunities in implementing tobacco control
• To review the gaps, barriers and needs of the country in implementing tobacco control
• To examine the country’s partnerships, political, administrative and technical processes in tobacco control
• To generate recommendations to guide Government and Civil Society in implementing tobacco control
2. Sensitization of policy makers and other key players in tobacco control
The sensitization seminar on tobacco control took place on 2nd February 2012 at Imam Hotel in Mauritania and was facilitated by Experts in tobacco control from the Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa and the WHO AFRO. The sensitization was the final part of the Engagement Mission by WHO and CTCA for Mauritania and was attended by 37 participants from Government and non government agencies in Mauritania. The objectives for the meeting are outlined below:
• To increase awareness of Policy makers on the dangers and impact of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco.
• To build momentum and commitment for the capacity assessment
• To generate an urgent need for strengthening tobacco control beyond public health.
The opening ceremony was presided over by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health and the WHO Country Office Representative was in attendance.
Angola
1. Sensitization of policy makers and other key players in tobacco control
The sensitization seminar on tobacco control took place on 17th May 2012 in Angola and was facilitated by Experts in tobacco control from the Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa and the WHO AFRO/HQ. The sensitization was the final part of the Engagement Mission by WHO and CTCA for Angola and was attended by 29 participants from Government and non government agencies in Angola. The objectives for the meeting are outlined below:
• To increase awareness of Policy makers on the dangers and impact of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco.
• To build momentum and commitment for the capacity assessment
• To generate an urgent need for strengthening tobacco control beyond public health.
The outcome of the workshop was the setting up of the National intergovernmental steering committee for tobacco control.
Looking ahead to 2012/2013: Summary upcoming capacity building activities
Uganda and South Africa: Trainings at Provincial/district level on drafting Smoke Free Regulations
Kenya: Trainings at Provincial level on the National tobacco control Policy
Mauritania: Training of trainers in tobacco control
Angola:
National Capacity Assessment in tobacco control and a Training of trainers on tobacco control
Capacity Building tools:
1. A Smoke Free Environments Facilitators Manual adapted from WHO to the African context
2. A capacity Development Methodology for Governments to assess their capacity to implement tobacco control