Under the Packard-supported project for capacity building of BCC managerial and technical staff in Myanmar, in cooperation with the UNFPA Special Program of Assistance "Information and Education for Behavior Change" (MYA/02/P02), a four-member JOICFP team, led by Atsushi Yoshino, Director, Media Communications, was in Myanmar from 29th May to 26th June.

The team delivered practical on-the-job training to Central Health Education Bureau (CHEB), Department of Health Planning, Ministry of Health staff, specifically for the production of audio-visual material for advocacy and printed materials for BCC at the grassroots level for use by volunteer health workers.

The aims of the materials produced are to promote safe motherhood, specifically to encourage women to receive antenatal care at least four times, and to use health facilities in a timely manner in cases of complications or emergency. Other key messages highlighted are the vital need of male involvement and support for maternal health and the significant role and action that can be taken by the community in support of health.

Production

Taking JOICFP's DigiPlan approach, a shooting for a television drama was conducted using professional actors in a township close to Yangon. The technical trainees learned how to read a script, use a picture board, as well as camera, sound, lighting and shooting techniques, and shooting on location management.

Managerial staff learned how to communicate key messages through content development, script writing, and appropriate dialog.

Yoshino delivers a lecture to audio-visual production staff

The printed materials take the form of a 'picture theater', a JOICFP approach that has proved very successful in HIV/AIDS prevention in Africa. The picture theater comprises many painted pictures accompanied by a narration. The materials are inexpensive, easy to use by volunteers, require no special equipment for the message to be delivered, and importantly, have a high emotional impact that generates discussion among target groups.

Yoshino checks pencil sketches with the artist

Twin Angels

Both the television drama and picture theater follow the story of NiNi and YiYi, twin sisters who marry at 18 and move away from their village. At 28, NiNi dies of pregnancy complications while carrying her sixth child. On learning of his sister-in-law's death, YiYi's husband changes his approach to women's health and starts to mobilize the community to protect the lives of mothers.

The drama shows the importance of antenatal care and how a simple bullock cart ambulance can save lives by getting women to a health facility in time, and addresses the project aims of safe motherhood through reducing maternal mortality, and increasing male involvement and community support for women's health.

Shooting was jointly conducted with CHEB and JOICFP crew

Production of the television drama and picture theater will be completed by the end of the year, and it is expected that CHEB staff will be able to produce additional materials on their own initiative, utilizing their gained capacity and skills.