National Advocacy

Abdulaziz AlRajhi, M.D.

President, MEACO

ICO Ophthalmologic Society Advocates Meeting, HK, 27 Jun 2008

59th WHA

Steps:“Make PB a Priority”

1. Arab League MoH. Mar 2005

2. EMRO-WHO. Sep 2005. (EM/RC52/R.3)

3. Executive Board Agenda!Letters to DG

4. WHO Executive Board. Feb 2006(EB117.R4)“Give Priority to PB”

59th WHA

Steps:“Change of Target”

(PB in the Medium Term Strategic Plan)

1. GCC MoH. Feb 2006

2. Arab League MoH. Mar 2006

59th WHA, May 2006

WHA adopted resolution WHA 59.25

It included the addition of PB to the Medium Term Strategic Plan (MTSP)

MTSP

Draft MTSP sent to regions without the inclusion of PB!

EMR was the only region that managed to add it to the draft at EMRO MoH Meeting Sep 06

Preparing for 60th WHA

Steps:

1- GCC MoH. Jan 2007

2- Arab League MoH. Feb 2007

60th WHA, May 07

Inclusion of PB in the Strategic Objective No.3 of the MTSP

61st WHA, May 08

Developing an Action Plan for PB

Advocacy Targets

Individual OphthalmologistsNational Society MeetingsRegional Ophthalmic Meetings

Ministers of HealthRegional Meetings.WHO- Regional Meetings.

Next Steps

Inclusion of PB in CCS.Developing a PB Action Plan.

PB in CCS

Contacting the Ministry of Health and making sure that PB in included in the CCS.

Coordinating the above activity with the PB National Coordinator.

PB Action Plan

Contacting the Ministry of Health:

Regional WHO meeting (Sep-Oct 08).Executive Board- WHO (Jan 09).62th WHA (May 09).

Preparation

Caution:

NEVER begin a discussion

until you are fully prepared!

Advocacy

Do Your Homework .Know what you want .Know whom you are talking to.Present a Win Win solution.Make your message clear.

Tips to demonstrate active listening

..Clear away distractions ..Sit up straight ..Face the speaker ..Make eye contact ..Uncross arms/legs ..Lean forward

..“THINK” before you respond…pause, to make certain you understand and are responding to the message delivered

Difficult People

People come with all types of personalities: • Bully • Rude/insensitive • Passive/aggressive • Manipulative ..Understanding and addressing specific personalities can assist in a successful advocacy process

Is it a Negotiation?

What’s the negotiator’s model? What does the negotiator want?

Think!

What do you want? (think) What does the other individual want?

(double think) What does the other individual think

you want? (triple think)

Where’s the middle ground?

Build Trust

....Tell the truth

..Respect confidences

..Honor your commitments

..Be clear

..Be open

Swallow Your Pride!!!!!!!

Advocacy

Don’t Contradict Yourself

Don’t be Too Greedy

Listening

Body language – yours and theirs Nonverbal messages Voice inflectionsFacial expressionsEye Movements

Barriers

Pre-conceived ideasDefense mechanism (don’t want to hear

it!) FatiguePoor listening habitsLack of respect for people/ideasLack of self confidence

Always….

Pick Your Fights!

Know His/Her Keys

If Plan A Fails

Have Plan B

and C !!!

INFO@MEACO.ORG