Health for All: DOH pushes simple language in public messaging
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) recently convened stakeholders and communicators from various regions for a three-day Health Literacy Seminar for Media Practitioners, emphasizing the use of simple, everyday language in health communication.
The event, held in General Luna, Surigao Del Norte, drew participants from Regions 9, 10, and Caraga, including media practitioners, health promotion officers, health workers, and information officers. The seminar served as a platform to enhance regional collaboration and develop more effective strategies for health promotion and public communication through accurate, inclusive, and community-based health messaging.
The DOH Central Office, through its Health Promotion Bureau, organized the seminar to underscore the crucial role of local communicators and media in supporting the government’s health agenda and combating misinformation.
Dr. Dominic Maddumba, director III of the DOH Health Promotion Bureau, stressed the importance of making health information relatable and understandable to the public.
“Health communication should not just be technically correct; it must be accessible to all sectors of society,” Maddumba said. “It starts with using simple everyday language when discussing medical and public health issues. When we say it simply, we empower people to make informed decisions about their health.”
Dr. Maddumba presented common medical terms and provided practical tips on how they can be translated into language that resonates with diverse audiences, particularly in communities with limited access to formal health education.
For local journalists and media personnel, the seminar offered a rare opportunity to engage directly with public health officials and gain deeper insights into communication’s role in building healthier communities.
Jabes A. Juanite, bureau chief of Net 25 Surigao Del Norte, expressed her appreciation for the initiative, noting its relevance and impact on her profession.
“As a media practitioner, I gained a better understanding of the importance of using the right health terms and breaking them down into simpler concepts,” Juanite said. “This seminar gave me valuable knowledge that will definitely help improve how I report on health issues. It’s about delivering information that people can truly comprehend.”
The DOH emphasized that this initiative is part of its broader thrust to institutionalize health literacy and foster a culture of prevention and wellness by engaging all sectors of society, including the media, as partners in health promotion.
The participants expressed their commitment to apply their learnings in their respective areas, serving as community advocates for accurate, timely, and empowering health information. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
