NCDC Tasks Nigerian Media to Contribute in Improving Health Security
- Experts have repeatedly highlighted the significant role the media plays in how the public responds to health issues
- Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, NCDC DG, says the media has drawn public and policymakers attention to issues of public health emergencies
- On its part, the Nigeria Health Watch has celebrated journalists for their astute reportage, critical to strengthening Nigeria's health security
FCT, Abuja - The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has affirmed that correct information dissemination, advocacy, and holding everyone accountable to take responsibility for epidemic preparedness are ways in which the Nigerian media can improve health security.
Its Director-General, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, said this on Friday, February 4 while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the second edition of the #PreventEpidemicsNaija Journalism Awards.
Source: Twitter
The awards, an initiative of the Nigeria Health Watch, celebrates TV, radio, and print journalists whose reporting on epidemic preparedness and the response has been exemplary in drawing public and policymakers attention to the need to fund activities to prevent, detect and respond to public health emergencies.
He said:
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“Journalists help in sharing valid information for the population to become aware of what is going on and of course, to take on board the required actions that are necessary to contribute to the response - either to protect themselves or to increase their knowledge of the disease condition itself.”
Delivering his keynote address earlier, Adetifa emphasized that the media holds everyone accountable to advocate for the government to invest in health security and protect the health of citizens in the country which has helped in increased funding both at the federal and state level.
On her part, Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch, said:
“It is important for the media to continue to challenge their reporting skills and ensure that Nigerians are well informed on the current state of epidemics in the country.
“We are proud of the winners that emerged this year and we encourage more health journalists to report more on the need for epidemic preparedness and response funding.”
This year’s winners, out of a total of 110 entries, include:
1. Print/ Online News Category - Abdulqudus Ogundapo – The Nation newspaper for his story titled “How poor funding, low technology hinders local COVID-19 vaccine production”
2. Television Programme Category - Ezedimbu Karen Ogom – Africa Independent Television, titled “Nigeria's Cholera Nightmare”
3. Radio Category - Kimberly Nwachukwu – Nigeria Info, for exemplary reporting of COVID-19 and Epidemic Preparedness
4. Media House category - ARISE Television, for exemplary reporting of COVID-19 and Epidemic Preparedness
Ihekewazu: FG needs substantial healthcare funding to prepare for future pandemics
Recall that Ihekweazu had advised the federal government to begin aggressive healthcare funding to prepare Nigeria for future pandemics.
She made the call during an interview with a Legit.ng reporter on Thursday, July 1, 2021 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
She was speaking on the sidelines of the Prevent Epidemics Journalism Masterclass organised for journalists by Nigeria Health Watch.
BHCPF: Nigeria Health Watch Organises Town Hall Meeting in Dukpa
Meanwhile, Dukpa, a community in Gwagwalada area council of Abuja came alive on Monday, December 12, 2021, as a town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Health Watch gave the residents an opportunity to interact with government officials in charge of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).
The BHCPF is a federal and state-funded initiative that is a component of the National Health Act of 2014, which called for better investment within the Nigerian health sector.
It was signed into the 2019 fiscal budget by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018.
Source: Legit.ng
