The Niger State government, in partnership with Nigeria Health Watch (NHW), has inaugurated the cohort 1, track two of the Niger State Health Misinformation Management Fellowship Programme, held at the Haske Luxury Hotel in Minna, on Friday, 12th Oct. 2024.

The Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Niger State, Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Dangana, while highlighting the critical impact of misinformation on public health, disclosed that even a single erroneous piece of information can undermine decades of health progress.

The Commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Imam, emphasized the urgent need for the fellowship, especially as communities face dual challenges from diseases and the rapid spread of misinformation.

The commissioner said: “The fellowship aims to empower health professionals, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and traditional health practitioners, with the skills to combat misinformation within their communities.”

Dr. Dangana encouraged the fellows to collaborate and build a synchronised approach to foster trust in scientific health information.

He also appreciated Nigeria Health Watch and its team for their support and commitment toward combating health misinformation in Niger State.

Earlier, the Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics, Dr. Junaidu Inuwa, echoed these concerns, saying that misinformation poses significant hazards to public health efforts.

Dr. Junaidu urged the participants to actively engage with the training and apply their knowledge practically.

The Programme Manager of Nigeria Health Watch, Mr. Abara Erim, reiterated the importance of accurate information in public health, explaining that the fellowship targets health service providers to enhance their capacity to combat misinformation effectively.

As the 18 selected fellows embark on this two-month journey, they will work to reduce the prevalence of health misinformation and leverage community trust to spread accurate health information, fostering a healthier Niger State.