Health Sector Reporting: Media NGO Train Journalists in Kaduna

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

In a decisive step to bridge the gap between healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public, the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH), has commenced a comprehensive 3-day media training on health reporting for journalists in Kaduna State.

The workshop, supported by a consortium of partners including EngenderHealth, Centre for Communication Social Impact (CCSI), and LISDEL, brought together journalists and broadcasters from various media organizations across the State to build capacity for evidence-based and impactful health reporting.

The training aims to equip media practitioners with the tools and knowledge required to effectively report on health sector initiatives, especially in the areas of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH), Primary Health Care (PHC), and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to health financing.

Commissioner of Health: Media Must Amplify the Voice of Public Health

In her welcome address, the Honourable Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmed, who was represented by Dr. Gajere Jonathan, Director Medical Services, emphasized the pivotal role of the media in achieving the state’s health development goals.

“As the Honourable Commissioner of Health, I fully recognize the powerful role that the media plays in shaping public understanding, attitudes, and behaviors toward health,” she said.

Citing alarming health indicators, she noted that Nigeria continues to grapple with high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality. According to her, children under five still die from preventable diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea—deaths that could be avoided with timely access to healthcare and accurate public information.

Hajiya Umma also pointed to the re-emergence of diseases such as Lassa fever, cholera, and yellow fever, alongside global health threats like COVID-19, which continue to strain the health system. Additionally, non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes are becoming more prevalent, often going undiagnosed until complications arise.

“Our response in Kaduna has been to implement wide-ranging reforms to strengthen our health system. These include expanding health insurance coverage, improving our PHC facilities, and enhancing disease surveillance,” she said.

The Commissioner stressed that despite the policy strides, none of the reforms would succeed without the active involvement of the media.

“You, the media, are not just messenger, you are multipliers. You demystify complex policies, amplify public health messages, and help hold leadership accountable.”

Gates Foundation: Stronger Media Equals Stronger Health Systems

Delivering his remarks on behalf of the Gates Foundation, Dr. Anthony Shamang, a health systems consultant, described the training as a critical component in Kaduna’s journey toward more inclusive and responsive healthcare delivery.

“The Gates Foundation has worked in Kaduna State for over a decade. We began with support for routine immunization and have since expanded to broader health system strengthening,” he said.

Dr. Shamang clarified that the Gates Foundation operates as a funding partner, supporting governments and implementing organizations like EngenderHealth, ISMPH, and others to execute projects in the health sector.

He recounted a scenario in which advocacy for the release of ₦500,000 for a health intervention failed because the decision-makers could not understand the technical justification behind it.

“That’s where the media comes in—you have the power to translate health challenges and needs into compelling stories that resonate with the public and policymakers alike,” he noted.

Dr. Shamang praised ISMPH for pioneering a media-led approach to public health engagement and expressed hope that more journalists would take up the mantle of advocacy journalism to ensure public accountability and resource mobilization.

“When I saw the name—International Society of Media in Public Health—I smiled. This is the kind of innovative thinking we need to bridge communication gaps in the sector,” he concluded.

ISMPH: From Reporting to Advocacy

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Director of ISMPH, Program Director Solomon Dogo, while welcoming participants on behalf of the Executive Director, Moji Makanjuola, set the tone for an interactive and solutions-driven training.

“At ISMPH, we see the media as strategic—not just important. You are partners in development, and your role in public health is more than just dissemination. You help drive behavior change,” he said.

Dogo explained that the training is part of a larger initiative being implemented in Kaduna, Kano, and Niger States, designed to improve media literacy around health topics and build the capacity of reporters to drive community-level change through informed reporting.

“We’ve already held a successful training in Kano. Kaduna is our second stop, and we’re excited to be here,” he said.

He also acknowledged the support of the Kaduna State Government and the funding commitment of the Gates Foundation. He further recognized the leadership and technical contributions of partners EngenderHealth (the lead implementing organization), CCSI, and LISDEL.

“We’re here to learn from you as much as we’re here to train. We want to understand the challenges you face when covering health stories and explore how we can support you to do even better,” Dogo added.

A Path Toward Better Storytelling and Public Awareness

The training, which continues over the next two days, features technical sessions on Nigeria’s health system structure, SWAp principles, health financing mechanisms, and effective storytelling techniques for health issues. Participants will also be exposed to the use of data in health reporting, ethical challenges in medical journalism, and how to hold leaders accountable using evidence-based narratives.

Breakout sessions and panel discussions will offer media professionals an opportunity to share experiences and challenges in reporting health-related stories, with a view to forming a network of health journalists in Northern Nigeria.

The workshop is expected to improve the quality and consistency of health coverage across radio, television, print, and digital media platforms in Kaduna State.