The Federal Government has pledged to work with the media in its quest to improve the country’s health sector.
The Special Adviser President Tinubu on Health, Dr. Salma Anas stated this during the recently concluded 8th Annual Conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHeJ) held in Abuja.
Anas informed that the media plays a vital role in amplifying the government’s efforts to improve the health sector.
“The Ministry of Health has emphasized the importance of the media in promoting health and nutrition. We recognize the media as a crucial stakeholder and partner in our efforts to improve health outcomes.
“Under the leadership of President Bola, we have made commitments to ensure that all Nigerians have access to quality healthcare services, regardless of their location, economic status, or gender. We are also committed to achieving universal health coverage”, she said.
The Special Adviser stated that they had made progress in strengthening the nation’s health system, improving access to healthcare services, and reducing maternal and child mortality. However, there was still a long way to go.
“We need to do more to address the challenges facing our health sector, including inadequate funding, shortage of healthcare workers, and inadequate infrastructure. We need to work together with all stakeholders, including communities, healthcare workers, and international partners, to achieve our goals.
“The role of the media is crucial in promoting health education and awareness. We need to work with the media to address the social and cultural factors that contribute to poor health outcomes”, she said.
In his address, the Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency (NASHIA), Dr. Yahaya Ubam asserted that effective and informed reportage play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of healthcare delivery in the country.
“As champions of the pen and the microphone, your work sheds light on the successes, challenges, and aspirations of healthcare systems across the country”, he said.
Ubam, who was represented by Mariam Ekom disclosed that, since its inception five years ago, NASHIA had become synonymous with hope and transformation in healthcare access across Nasarawa State.
He informed that the number of enrollees had risen to an impressive 275,756 individuals. Also, ”NASHIA’s success story has attracted interest from sister states seeking to replicate its model”.
However, despite its achievements, challenges persist, particularly around funding and the inclusion of the informal sector.
Therefore, “as journalists, your role in telling this story and amplifying its impact cannot be overstated. Your platform can catalyze more support for initiatives like NASHIA and drive the narrative towards achieving healthcare equity in Nigeria”, he said.
Director Clinical Services at the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Musa Gombe disclosed that the 4560 applied for the
Nigerian Cancer Health Fund, however, only 1616 had been approved.
Gombe further revealed that National hospital Abuja had the highest number of applications and Breast cancer patients were the highest number of indigent cancer patients to be enrolled on the fund.
He therefore harped on the need for more enlightenment and public awareness so those in need of the Fund will know it exists.
