Bukola Afeni
The Federal Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its dedication to collaborating closely with the media to promote health awareness, combat misinformation, and ensure transparency and accountability in the health sector.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, stated this in her goodwill message on the occasion of the 8th Annual Conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists.
Kachollom said: “The media has always been a vital partner in health promotion, advocacy, and accountability. We deeply value the significant role journalists play in disseminating accurate, timely, and impactful health information to the public.
“As we move forward, the Ministry reaffirms its commitment to working hand-in-hand with the media in promoting health awareness, countering misinformation, and ensuring transparency and accountability within the health sector.”
According to her, the Ministry embraced the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to ensure “one plan, one budget, one report, and one conversation.”
“We recognize that an informed and enlightened populace is fundamental to achieving improved health outcomes. It is in this light that we have embraced the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to ensure “one plan, one budget,
one report, and one conversation.”
“This strategy unifies the efforts of the government, partners, and stakeholders, maximizing impact, enhancing
accountability, and eliminating redundancies.”
The Permanent Secretary further highlighted the Ministry efforts to ensure service delivery and improving health outcomes.
“The Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (HSRIl) exemplifies
our unwavering commitment to revitalizing the health sector. Through targeted
investments, we aim to strengthen primary healthcare (PHC) systems to deliver efficient maternal and child health services, tackle Neglected Tropical Diseases
(NTDS), address Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and confront infectious
diseases.
“These efforts also include a robust, ongoing response to HIV/AIDS and
Tuberculosis and Malaria.
In the field of Maternal and Child Health, we remain unwavering in our commitment to enhancing service delivery and improving health outcomes. The strengthening of ovision Primary Healthcare (PHC) systems, bolstered by the Basic Healthcare ProvFund (BHCPF), has significantly increased access to vital services in underserved
communities.
“Notably, the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation
Initiative (MAMII) exemplifies these efforts by offering free cesarean sections to eligible women, thereby improving maternal and neonatal outcomes.
“Additionally, our interventions targeting neglected tropical diseases (NTDS) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are meticulously designed to be inclusive and comprehensive, ensuring equitable access to healthcare and leaving no one behind,” he said.
In his address, the President of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists(ANHEJ) Joseph Kadiri, said despite the introduction of the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) to address challenges facing Nigeria’s health sector, the media still face several challenges including limited access to health information and data, inadequate training and capacity building for health journalists, and insufficient funding for health reporting and programming.
He said: “This year’s conference, themed “SWAp Effectiveness in Addressing Poor Health Outcomes: The Role of the Media,” is particularly timely given the numerous challenges facing Nigeria’s health sector, including inadequate funding, inefficient resource allocation, and poor service delivery.
“The Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) was introduced to address these challenges by promoting a coordinated and harmonized approach to health sector development. However, the SWAp’s effectiveness relies heavily on the active engagement of various stakeholders, including the media.
“Despite the media’s potential to enhance SWAp effectiveness, several challenges persist, including limited access to health information and data, inadequate training and capacity building for health journalists, and insufficient funding for health reporting and programming.
“To realize the media’s potential in enhancing SWAp effectiveness, it is essential to address these challenges. This conference will delve into critical sub-themes, including President Bola Tinubu’s Health Agenda, health security, maternal and child health services, vaccine-preventable diseases, and local drug production.
“In all of these areas of discussions, ANHeJ wants a verifiable evdence of reduction in Nigeria’s health indices, so we can amplify them before the international Community. ANHEJ is also interested in supporting the federal government and development partners to amplify health promoton in our reportage and programmes.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) Dr Patrick Dakum reaffirmed its commitment to aligning its activities with the Government of Nigeria’s health sector plans.
He further commended the media for taking the initiative and and expressed enthusiasm for a stronger collaboration in ensuring that the health needs of all Nigerians are met.
