Bukola Afeni
The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Health Dr. Salma Anas said maternal and child health should be prioritised to improve health security in the country.
She stated this at The 7th Annual Health Conference Of The Association Of Nigeria Health Journalists in collaboration with WHO in Nasarawa State.
The Special Adviser noted that Nigeria still contributes to the global burden of maternal and newborn deaths.
“Some of the statistics in maternal and new born death is due to poorly functional PHC systems, resulting in a lack of available equipment and low healthcare coverage, as well as inadequate financing in the health sector”, she said.
Dr Salman said the present administration is making effort to revitalize the health sector to achieve the SDG 2030 target of universal health coverage.
” An effective primary health care system will build the foundation of a healthier society.The PHC is the fulcrum for a resilient health system and should be structured to be able to deliver services that will support the attainment of UHC and guarantee health security”, she said.
The Executive Director, Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC), Mrs Chika Offor disclosed that Journalists play critical role in disseminating accurate and reliable information.
“Journalists play crucial factor in ensuring the success of vaccination campaigns and protecting public health.
They are vital for public health education, countering vaccine hesitancy, holding authorities accountable, building trust, and fostering dialogue among the citizens”, she added.
She added that Journalists contribute to building trust by reporting on the rigorous scientific process behind vaccine development, testing, and approval.
“They highlight the positive impact of vaccines on public health, sharing success stories and real-life examples of how vaccines have saved lives and prevented diseases”, she said.
According to her, partnership with ANHEJ would signify a collaborative effort to prioritise and improve healthcare services for vulnerable populations.
