Disinformation and misinformation about health-related issues have been described as a quick killer, more than the outbreak of a disease in itself, due to lack of professionalism by some journalists.
To reverse this trend, the Niger State Ministry of Primary Health Care, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), organised a one-day training for journalists, on enhancing health communication, aimed at equipping journalists with the necessary skills and knowledge, for accurate and balanced health reporting in Niger State.
The training covered vital topics on health communication, including strategy development, public health advocacy, digital health communication, behavioural change communication, and cultural competency.
The Commissioner for Primary Health Care, Mohammed Dangana, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Gana Mohammed, emphasised that a single piece of inaccurate information could have detrimental effects on public health.
Hence, there is a need for journalists to ensure balanced and accurate reportage, while performing their statutory duties.
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Both the Information Officer of the ministry, Fatima Muhammed, and the state’s Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abu Nmodu, described the media engagement as timely and apt.
The participants, drawn from various media organisations, including the print and electronic media, pledged to do things differently going forward.
The media engagement, stressed the importance of cultivating a strong partnership between the ministry and media professionals, emphasising the ministry’s dedication, to delivering quality healthcare services, to the state’s residents.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
