Introducing talking books technology for a strenghtened communitty health programme
UNICEF Belize partners with Amplio GH and NVISION to empower Community Health Workers with innovative tools
Improving the health and wellbeing of children and families begins long before they reach a clinic. In Belize’s rural communities where distances are long, health information is limited, and access to services can be uneven, Community Health Workers (CHWs) play an essential role in connecting families to lifesaving information and care.
To strengthen this frontline workforce, UNICEF Belize partnered with Amplio GH and NVISION to introduce Amplio Talking Books; a powerful audio‑based tool designed to deliver clear, consistent, culturally relevant health messages directly to households. This month, Amplio GH and NVISION successfully completed a training session with the Ministry of Health & Wellness (MOHW), equipping CHWs with the skills to use Talking Books as part of their daily engagement with communities.
A new tool for better health outcomes
As part of the UNICEF Belize Health Programme to strengthen the community health programme in Belize this initiative supports our effort to focus on reaching women and children in rural communities, who often face the greatest barriers to timely health information. Talking Books deliver structured, easy‑to‑understand messages on topics such as:
- Maternal and newborn health
- Child nutrition
- Immunization
- Disease prevention
- Healthy behaviours and care‑seeking
For families with low literacy levels or those who speak indigenous languages, Talking Books ensures that critical health information is accessible, reliable and easy to recall.
Building CHW capacity for stronger primary health care
During the training session, participants demonstrated strong engagement and enthusiasm for integrating the devices into their outreach work. With Talking Books, CHWs are better equipped to:
- Promote awareness of available services
- Encourage healthy practices
- Strengthening trust between communities and the health system
- Improve demand for primary health care
Led by Dr. Olusola Oladeji, Health & Nutrition Specialist with UNICEF Belize the project was implemented in alignment with the unique needs of rural communities and the national health priorities.
Why this matters for UNICEF’s health agenda in Belize
Why this matters for UNICEF’s health agenda in Belize
Families receive accurate, easy‑to‑understand messages right in their homes reducing misinformation and improving health‑seeking behaviours.
Families receive accurate, easy‑to‑understand messages right in their homes reducing misinformation and improving health‑seeking behaviours.
CHWs are equipped with a consistent, standardized tool that supports their work and increases the quality of community outreach.
Remote and underserved communities, especially those with limited literacy, gain access to information that can save lives and promote wellbeing.
A stronger community health system is better able to respond to disease outbreaks, climate-related shocks, and service disruptions.
Looking Ahead
As the Talking Books become a regular companion to Belize’s Community Health Workers, UNICEF looks forward to improved community engagement, stronger health promotion, and increased service uptake across rural areas.
This collaboration with Amplio GH, NVISION, the Ministry of Health & Wellness, and HECOPAB, ensures that every child, no matter where they live, has the opportunity to grow up healthy and safe and it reflects what is possible when technology, partnership, and people-powered health systems come together.
