Niger State Ministry of Primary Health Care Collaborates with WHO to Train Journalists in Minna

By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Niger State Ministry of Primary Health Care, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WH...

By Awwal Umar Kontagora

The Niger State Ministry of Primary Health Care, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has conducted a one-day media training aimed at enhancing health information dissemination across the state.

The training, held at Gudel Hotel in Minna, brought together journalists from various media organizations, fellows of the State Health Ministry Information Management Fellowship Project, and representatives from the National Orientation Agency.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Gana Mohammed, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Primary Health Care, who represented the Commissioner, Hon. Ibrahim Ahmed Dangana, emphasized the importance of media engagement in achieving the New Niger Agenda in the healthcare sector. He highlighted the need for a strong partnership between the ministry and media professionals, reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare services to the people of Niger State.

Dr. Gana also urged journalists to ensure accurate and balanced reporting, warning that a single piece of misinformation could have serious consequences for public health. He expressed his appreciation for the media’s support and assured them of the ministry’s commitment to continued collaboration in information dissemination.

The training covered various topics, including Health Communication Strategy, presented by Malam Musa Ladan; Public Health Advocacy, delivered by Mohammed Paiko Alhaji; Digital Health Communication, presented by Maimuna Raji Egi Gogo; Behavioral Change Communication, led by Mrs. Patience Ajai, a WHO representative; and Cultural Competency in Health Reporting, discussed by Malam Abubakar Usman Kpantu.

The initiative aimed to equip journalists with the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure accurate, effective, and ethical health reporting in Niger State.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State Chapter, Comrade Abu Modu, commended the ministry for organizing the training. He emphasized its role in strengthening the relationship between the media and the healthcare sector.