FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE LAUDS THE ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA HEALTH JOURNALISTS, ANHEJ 15-12-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has lauded the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists, ANHeJ, for its critical role in the coverage on health related issues, promoting health-seeking behaviors, and holding stakeholders accountable in the health sector.
Speaking at a-two-day ANHeJ Annual Conference in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, highlighted the invaluable contributions of health journalists to the nation’s health agenda.
Kachollom who was represented by the Head, Policy and Planning, Dr. Angis Ikpe outlined the ministry’s adoption of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), which integrates efforts from the government, partners, and stakeholders under “One Plan, One Budget, One Report and One Conversation.”
The President of ANHeJ, Joseph Kadiri mentioned the challenges of health journalism to include inadequate training, limited access to data and insufficient funding.
“With the theme “SWAp Effectiveness in Addressing Poor Health Outcomes: The Role of the Media,” the conference focused on addressing challenges such as inadequate funding, poor service delivery, and resource inefficiency”.
Kadiri reaffirmed the association’s commitment to bridging these gaps and ensuring health programs like maternal and child health services, vaccine-preventable diseases, and local drug production are given prominence in media coverage.
Dr. Charles Imoghe who represented the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Dakum, explained that the Institute, with support from USAID, would scale up tuberculosis services in Lagos, Osun, and Oyo states as well as strengthened laboratory infrastructure and conduct researches into infectious and non-infectious diseases.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, applauded the Media’s Role in its sensitisation on Counterfeit Drugs.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General, NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director of Post-Marketing and Surveillance, Mr. Bitrus Fraden, recalled past collaborations, including efforts with ANHeJ to address the harmful use of chemicals and unsafe substances to ripen fruits.
“We appreciate the work you do in disseminating crucial health information to the general public. It is impossible for us at NAFDAC to reach every corner of the country without your support.”
The 8th ANHeJ conference, which brought together journalists, health professionals and policymakers, focused on exploring innovative approaches to strengthen health journalism and foster partnerships for a better healthcare system in Nigeria.