A continental non-governmental organisation, Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), has
called for a return of bimonthly alliance with the media in Nigeria towards providing accurate health information for development.
Noting that it is vital to discuss and inform Nigerians about advances in her health sector,
AHBN Coordinator, Dr Aminu Magashi, Thursday in Abuja, emphasized that this would enhance communication with the general public to foster accountability.
He made the comments while receiving the newly-elected executive members of the Association of Nigerian Health Journalists who paid him a courtesy visit.
Recalling that the semimonthly conference was at the initiative of the Ministry of Health (MoH), and AHBN, Magashi noted its essence was to share updates and latest information on diverse health-related issues.
He said it was through this platform that many journalists got informed about Lassa Fever,
efforts to combat COVID-19, reproductive health initiatives as well as routine immunization
coverage, among others.
Magashi added that for this and other salient reasons, maintaining regular interactions
in which government officials such as ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of departments and agencies, including all relevant backers, meet recurrently with the media, this exchange must be reignited.
He said, “The network had signed an agreement with the MoH to support the semi monthly
press briefings. And for two years, we have been supporting the gatherings held every two weeks or every month to provide updates in various aspects of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“We can also boast that our quarterly engagement with the media has yielded immense benefits for diverse Nigerians who are now better informed about crucial health issues. And we run the platform in such a way that it has become transparent and accountable where our ministers and top health officials provide regular updates.”
On the importance of reviving the press briefings with the coordinating minister of health,
minister of state for health, as well as special assistant to the president on health, Magashi noted that the network would ensure that the public gets timely informed.
He used the opportunity to commend President Bola Tinubu’s initiative for integrating a social welfare component into the MoH to enhance health outcomes of Nigerians as welfare plays a substantial role in the general population’s well-being.
Giving a response, Mr. Oyeyemi Pitan, Engagement and Partnership Lead of AHBN, urged all stakeholders to participate in developing a combined advocacy action plan to ensure that commitments are of high quality and promptly implemented.
