…Dr. Aminu Magashi AHBN honored with special award
From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the media in promoting health awareness, countering misinformation, and ensuring transparency and accountability within the health sector.
The ministry emphasized that working with the media is key to achieving its mandate.
This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ms. Daju Kachollom Mni, during the opening ceremony of the 8th Annual Conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHeJ) in Abuja.
The theme of the conference was SWAp Effectiveness in Addressing Poor Health Outcomes: The Role of the Media.
Ms. Kachollom, represented by Dr. Angus Ikpe, Head of Policy and Planning in the Ministry, acknowledged the vital role of health correspondents in shaping public perception, influencing health-seeking behaviors, and holding stakeholders accountable.
“It is with profound pleasure and a deep sense of appreciation that I extend my goodwill and heartfelt congratulations to the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists on the occasion of your 8th Annual Conference. The invaluable contributions of health journalists in shaping public perception, influencing health-seeking behaviors, and holding stakeholders accountable for their roles in the health sector cannot be overstated. Your unwavering commitment to advancing the nation’s health agenda is truly commendable, and I salute your dedication to this noble cause,” Ms. Kachollom said.
She reiterated that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare remains committed to ensuring that health information, policies, and services are accessible to every Nigerian. She emphasized that an informed and enlightened populace is essential for achieving better health outcomes, noting that the ministry has adopted the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to ensure “one plan, one budget, one report, and one conversation.” This strategy aims to unify government, partners, and stakeholders to maximize impact, enhance accountability, and eliminate redundancies.
The Permanent Secretary also highlighted the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (HSRIl), which reflects the ministry’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the health sector. She outlined key areas of focus, including strengthening primary healthcare systems, improving maternal and child health services, addressing Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and combating infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
“Our interventions targeting neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are designed to be inclusive and comprehensive, ensuring equitable access to healthcare and leaving no one behind,” Ms. Kachollom added. “Our dedication to infectious disease control remains a cornerstone of our health agenda, from innovative strategies in malaria eradication to our sustained efforts against HIV/AIDS. We continue to leverage partnerships and robust surveillance systems to protect the health of Nigerians.”
The media’s role in health promotion, advocacy, and accountability was also emphasized. Ms. Kachollom expressed deep appreciation for the significant role journalists play in disseminating accurate, timely, and impactful health information to the public.
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr. Joseph Kadari, President of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHeJ), explained that the conference aims to examine critical health programs and policies and improve health outcomes for Nigerians. He also noted the challenges facing Nigeria’s health sector, including inadequate funding, inefficient resource allocation, and poor service delivery.
In his goodwill message, Dr. Aminu Magashi, Coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), commended ANHeJ for organizing the conference. Dr. Magashi, represented by Sadiq Malami of AHBN, acknowledged the crucial role of health journalists in the development of the health system and the protection of citizens’ rights.
“The media plays an indispensable role in educating the public, holding policymakers accountable, and ensuring that health issues remain on the national agenda, not just in Nigeria, but across the African continent and beyond,” Dr. Magashi said. He was later honored with a Special Award by the association for his contributions to health advocacy.
Dr. Magashi assured the association of his continued support in improving the health and well-being of Nigerians and the African community at large.
Other notable figures who sent goodwill messages included Dr. Charles Imoghe, who represented the CEO of the Institute of Human Virology (IHVN), Dr. Bitrus Fradden, Director of Post-Marketing at NAFDAC, who represented the NAFDAC DG, and Hassan Zaggi, who represented the CEO of NICRAT, among others.