Union Seeks Collaboration to Deepen Health Awareness and Accountability Nationwide
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Abdullahi Yahaya, has called for stronger collaboration between journalists and the Ministry of Health to enhance public awareness and accountability in the health sector.
Comrade Yahaya made the call when he led a delegation from the NUJ National Secretariat, including the National President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Hajia Aisha Ibrahim, on a courtesy visit to the Minister of Health, Dr. Mohammed Ali Pate, in Abuja.
He commended Dr. Pate’s leadership and innovations in revitalising the health sector, particularly the renewed focus on Primary Health Care (PHC) services and improved logistics for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. These efforts, he said, have contributed to reducing maternal mortality, especially in rural communities.
The NUJ President proposed the creation of a Special Health Trust Fund to serve as an alternative source of financing for the sector and pledged the continued support of journalists for the ministry’s reform initiatives.
He also sought partnership with the ministry to organise training and workshops aimed at building journalists’ capacity for effective health reporting and ensuring wider visibility for public health campaigns.
In his response, Dr. Pate appreciated the NUJ leadership for the visit. He emphasized the importance of the media in performing what he described as the “4A functions” Awareness, Advocacy, Accountability, and Action, which, he said, are critical to the success of public health initiatives.
The minister highlighted the ministry’s recent vaccination campaign, which targets over 100 million Nigerian children, the first of its kind in Africa as a major stride under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu’s Administration.
Dr. Pate assured that the ministry will strengthen collaboration with the NUJ and directed his team to engage the union’s 37 state councils to build on the understanding reached during the visit.
