Health Watch, NCDC task media on professionalism
10 February 2022 |
2:42 am
Accurate and timely reports by the media on possible outbreak of epidemic can help boost the state of preparedness of the stakeholders to curb the impact of epidemics
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Director General, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa PHOTO: Twitter
Accurate and timely reports by the media on the possible outbreak of epidemic can help boost the state of preparedness of the stakeholders to curb the impact of epidemics, the Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, has said.
He argued that constant reporting of gaps that exist in the health sector by the media has also resulted in improved funding of the sector.
Speaking at the Nigeria Health Watch (NHW) awards on exemplary reporting on Epidemic Preparedness and Response funding, which held in Abuja at the weekend, Adetifa added: “The media holds everyone accountable to advocate for the government to invest in health security and protect the health of citizens in the country which has helped in increased funding both at the federal and state levels.”
The NCDC boss insisted that the media is key in raising awareness of epidemic preparedness by disseminating information to the public.
On her part, the Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch, Vivianne Ihekweazu, also urged the media to be professional in reporting disease outbreaks.
She stated that the media should stress epidemic preparedness and response funding in times of epidemic and pandemic such as COVID-19.
“It is important for the media to continue to challenge their reporting skills and ensure that Nigerians are well informed on the current state of epidemics in the country,” she stated.
While encouraging health reporters to report more on the need for epidemic preparedness and response funding, Ihekweazu stressed that her organisation is proud of the winners.
She hinted that the reports that won awards at the ceremony were on epidemic preparedness and response were exemplary in drawing public and policymakers attention to the need to fund activities to prevent, detect and respond to public health emergencies.
Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of accurate and timely reportage on outbreaks, epidemics and other issues of public health importance, and the key role journalists play in keeping the public informed and policy/decision-makers accountable.
Health Watch stated that the media plays a very important role in combating misinformation and boosting adherence to public health measures by communicating clear and evidence-based editorial.
Ihekweazu explained: “This year’s winners, out of a total of 110 entries, excellently and consistently exemplified this, reporting on the need to boost local vaccine manufacturing to prepare for the next pandemic (print), contiguously build systems that can respond timely to local outbreaks (TV), and fund epidemic preparedness and response activities at national and subnational levels (radio). They kept pace with the rapid transition of the pandemic while providing timely and quality editorial.”
A story titled, “How poor funding, low technology hinders local COVID-19 vaccine production” by Abdulqudus Ogundapo of The Nation newspaper won the print category; Ezedimbu Karen Ogom of AIT’s “Nigeria’s Cholera Nightmare” won the Television category while the Radio Category was won by Kimberly Nwachukwu of Nigeria Info for exemplary reporting of COVID-19 and Epidemic Preparedness.
ARISE Television won the Media house category for exemplary reporting of COVID-19 and epidemic preparedness.
Related
Latest
1 day ago
Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, has called for an improved immunisation and more Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in Bauchi State for children welfare in the state. The UNICEF Ambassador made the call in Bauchi on Tuesday while briefing newsmen on her field trip with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office to observe immunisation…
1 day ago
The Federal Government has set up a seven-man committee to investigate the alleged bullying incidents at Lead British International School, Abuja. This was after the government convened an emergency meeting with management of the school following a disturbing video footage of some students bullying others emerged on the social media earlier on Tuesday. "The committee's…
1 day ago
The pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, to support the 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal road project being executed by the Federal Government. Obi, who was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, had on Monday said the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway…
1 day ago
....as secondary market turnover in FMDQ hits ₦48.9tr Total value of transactions executed by domestic investors outperformed foreign investors patronage by circa 64 per cent as at March 2024. According to the latest Domestic and Foreign Portfolio Investment Report of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), total domestic transactions accounted for about 89 per cent…
1 day ago
FOLLOWING the success of its 'Back to School project' at St. Michael's African School, Ipari-Nla, Ogun State, in February, the Angel Foundation has successfully completed another transformative project at the school, which was commissioned on Monday. It renovated and modernised the school's toilet facilities, enhanced hygiene standards for students and teachers alike, as well as…
1 day ago
Former Central Bank of Nigeria's governor Godwin Emefiele approved the printing of N684.5 million naira with N18.9 billion, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has said. EFCC made the claim in a new four-count charge filed against Emefiele at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. The anti-graft agency's prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN)…
1 day ago
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has promised that the commission will now meet on a quarterly basis with stakeholders of the commission to enhance the formulation and sustenance of the Commission's overall strategies for the development of the region. Ogbuku made the promise during an interactive forum…
1 day ago
The Kogi State House of Assembly, during plenary on Tuesday, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to remove the ‘wanted’ tag that it placed on Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of the state. EFCC declared Bello alongside Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering…
1 day ago
Two Premier League footballers have been arrested over rape allegations. The alleged rape incident is said to have taken place on Friday night. According to UK publication, The Sun, Cops stormed the club’s stadium this weekend and one of the players, aged 19, was spoken to on suspicion of assault and aiding and abetting a…
1 day ago
The University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) on Tuesday suspended Mfonobong David Udoudom, a lecturer in the General Studies division, who was caught in a video allegedly harassing a female student. The university said that the indefinite suspension is with immediate effect pending the outcome of a disciplinary panel constituted to investigate the incident. UNN spokesperson,…
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.