Kaduna Health Advocates Push for Stronger PROs to Boost Public Health Communication
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
Health advocacy groups in Kaduna State are calling on the government to strengthen Public Relations Officers (PROs) across health Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to improve public awareness, demand for services, and health governance.
The call came during a high-level advocacy visit to the Ministry of Information by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) and the Kaduna Health Advocacy and Media Alliance (KADHAMA), led by ISMPH State Programme Officer, Abdul Usman Bako.
Speaking at the meeting, Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, emphasized that media-driven communication is critical to driving behaviour change and increasing the use of health services.
He recalled past collaborations with development partners in campaigns such as polio eradication, noting the transformative role of coordinated media engagement.
The advocacy team highlighted ongoing challenges for PROs, including limited capacity, inadequate tools, and insufficient resources, which hinder effective communication of health programs to the public.
They urged the government to establish a Public Relations Office within the Kaduna State Health Supplies Agency, institutionalize training for PROs on health advocacy, and allocate dedicated resources to ensure consistent, impactful public health messaging.
ISMPH has already supported the Ministry of Health’s PRO unit with office renovations, technical assistance, and training programmes.
The group pledged to expand support through mentorship, workshops, and provision of modern equipment such as laptops, cameras, and recording devices to enhance communication outcomes.
Commissioner Maiyaki welcomed the proposals, describing the advocacy as “personal and strategic.”
He stressed that media and civil society are essential partners in creating demand for health services, improving transparency, and ensuring accountability.
“Count me as one of you, not only as Commissioner but as someone deeply committed to public health communication. We must work closely to strengthen PRO capacity and drive better health outcomes,” he said.
With stronger PROs, adequate resources, and active government-partner collaboration, Kaduna State is poised to improve health communication, increase service uptake, and promote accountability in its healthcare system.
