The Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has convened a Media Orientation Meeting for National and State media stakeholders on Diphtheria Outbreak Response in Nigeria.
The One-day Workshop held on Thursday, October 19, 2023, in Abuja drew journalists and communication personnel from different parts of the country.
The orientation aimed at improving knowledge of the media on Diphtheria, making them understand their roles and responsibilities and noting key areas to support the ongoing Outbreak Response in the country.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib thanked and appreciated the efforts of both National and State Media Stations in promoting health programmes, especially on the ongoing Diphtheria Outbreak Response in their respective States.
Dr. Shuaib who was represented by the Acting Director of Advocacy and Communication of the Agency stated that the Federal Government and Development Partners recognise the role of the media in nation-building and rely so much on them to create awareness and sensitise the public on Diphtheria and other Primary Health Care services in the country.
He further commended NCDC and Development Partners for co-facilitating the Media Orienting Meeting with NPHCDA and prayed that the partnership be sustained beyond the Diphtheria Outbreak Response.
In her goodwill message, the Head of Social and Behavioural Change Communication of UNICEF, Margaret Soyemi, who spoke on behalf of Partners commended the efforts of NPHCDA and NCDC for facilitating the workshop.
She thanked the Media stakeholders for their continued support and commitment toward creating awareness and sensitising the public on health programmes, especially on Diphtheria at National and subnational levels.
In attendance were participants from NPHCDA, NCDC, Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Federal Ministry of Information (FMol), National Orientation Agency (NOA), National and State Media (Broadcast & Print) from the seven priority States (Bauchi, Borno, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, and Yobe), Development Partners — UNICEF, BA-N, Redcross, WHO, ICAP, and others.
