Nigeria Health Watch Leads Policy Dialogue on Primary Healthcare in Suleja
… Organizes Workshop on Managing Health Misinformation in Minna.
Niger state has been recognised as one of the most proactive States in terms of engaging in activities aimed at strengthening primary health care services across the country.
The assertion was made by the Director Programs, Dr. Kemisola Agbaoye at a Primary Healthcare Policy Dialogue organised by Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with Nigeria Health Watch.
The dialogue which took place in Suleja, Niger State has the theme, “strengthening community accountability mechanisms for primary health care -spotlight on Niger State.”
The dialogue featured interactive panel discussions involving healthcare experts, policymakers, media and community representatives.
Panelists delved into key topics such as improving infrastructure and equipment in primary healthcare facilities, increasing healthcare workforce capacity, addressing funding challenges, and promoting community engagement in healthcare decision-making processes.
Other Participants actively shared their insights, experiences, and recommendations, which ranged from the need for increased government’s investment in primary healthcare to the importance of adopting technology for efficient service delivery. The engagement between stakeholders fostered a better understanding of the intricate challenges faced by primary healthcare providers and paved the way for collaborative strategies to address them.
In a similar event, journalists, health workers, religious and community leaders, Ward Health Development Committees, and traditional medicine vendors have been called upon to come together and manage health misinformation.
The call was made by the program coordinator Nigeria health watch, Abara Erim at the Niger State misinformation Management project dissemination workshop organised by Nigeria health watch which took place in Minna.
The workshop focused on the grave consequences of health misinformation and its impact on public health in Nigeria.
Participants were encouraged to serve as reliable sources of accurate health information, to engage in community outreach programs to educate residents, and to establish local networks to counteract the spread of misinformation.
The workshop concluded with participants expressing their commitment to championing evidence-based communication, fostering trust, and dispelling health misinformation. Nigeria Health Watch pledged to continue collaborating with stakeholders to sustain the momentum generated by the workshop and to expand the reach of future initiatives.
Harajana Umar Ragada
18/08/23.