By Mayen Etim, Kaduna
In its effort to strengthen public health communication and drive improved health outcomes, the Kaduna State Government, in collaboration with the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) and EngenderHealth consortium partners, has commenced training on RMNCAH, PHC, SWAp, health financing, and newborn care for media practitioners in the state.
The workshop brought together over 30 media practitioners from across the state to deepen their understanding of pressing health challenges and ongoing sector reforms and equip them with the knowledge and tools to effectively report on health issues.
Speaking at the opening of the 3-day workshop on Thursday, the State Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmed, emphasized the central role of the media in shaping public perception and driving action around health priorities.
She praised the initiative and noted that accurate and consistent health reporting is not only a tool for public enlightenment but also a pillar for development.
We rely on you to bring clarity, truth, and urgency to health reporting
“You are not just messengers—you are multipliers,” she said. “We rely on you to bring clarity, truth, and urgency to health reporting.”
The Commissioner, represented by the Director of Medical Services in the ministry, Dr. Gajere Jonathan, highlighted the continued burden of maternal and neonatal mortality in Nigeria, the persistence of preventable childhood diseases, and the re-emergence of epidemics such as Lassa fever and cholera.
Hajiya Ahmed also noted the growing threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are increasingly affecting both rural and urban populations.
“These figures are not just numbers—they represent lives lost, families broken, and futures unfulfilled,” she added. She said Kaduna State is responding through reforms focused on revitalizing primary health care (PHC), strengthening health insurance schemes, enhancing disease surveillance, and deepening partnerships.
She called on journalists to use their platforms to demystify complex health policies and ensure that citizens and policymakers alike understand the importance of timely interventions.
we’ve found that while technical capacity exists, advocacy has been a major challenge
Also speaking, Dr. Anthony Shamang, Media as Advocacy Catalysts Consultant with the Gates Foundation, underscored the importance of the media in closing the advocacy gap that often exists between technical experts and government decision-makers.
“The Gates Foundation has supported health programs in Kaduna for over ten years—particularly in PHC revitalization—but we’ve found that while technical capacity exists, advocacy has been a major challenge,” Dr. Shamang explained.
He recounted an experience attempting to secure funds for a health intervention, only to face resistance from finance officials who lacked the necessary context.
Even when the government has approved the funds, the question remains: why exactly do you need ₦500,000? That’s where the media comes in
“Even when the government has approved the funds, the question remains: why exactly do you need ₦500,000? That’s where the media comes in. Through your reporting, you can explain these technical needs in a way that resonates with policymakers and the public.”
Dr. Shamang lauded the creation of ISMPH and the inclusion of journalists in the health ecosystem, describing it as the “missing piece” needed to amplify public health advocacy, noting, “This is a critical gap we’ve been trying to fill for years. Media engagement may be the game-changer for our work in Kaduna and beyond.”
He further acknowledged the consortium’s implementing partners—EngenderHealth, CCSI, and LISDEL—and reaffirmed the Gates Foundation’s commitment to supporting evidence-driven and people-centered health initiatives.
Similarly, Mr. Solomon Dogo, Programme Director at ISMPH, expressed appreciation for the turnout and reiterated the organization’s belief in the media as a strategic player in health development.
It’s a participatory training. We want to learn from you as much as we want you to learn from us
“This is not a lecture series. It’s a participatory training. We want to learn from you as much as we want you to learn from us,” he said. He introduced the broader goals of the training, which is part of a larger multi-state advocacy initiative targeting PHC reforms and Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH), as well as a government-led Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp).
“Some of you are already familiar with these terms—others may be hearing them for the first time. Either way, we’re here to ensure you report these issues with clarity and impact,” Dogo added.
He highlighted the importance of the media in fostering accountability, driving behavioral change, and supporting leadership engagement—especially as new health programs roll out in Kaduna, Kano, and Niger states. Dogo acknowledged the support of the Kaduna State Government, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, and the funding provided by the Gates Foundation.
we’re here to ensure you report these issues with clarity and impact
The 3-day training is expected to culminate in strengthened capacity for journalists to cover health-related topics with greater nuance and depth, especially around sensitive areas such as sick newborn care, RMNCAH programming, and sector-wide approach funding reforms.
The consortium partnership hopes the engagement will serve as a catalyst for more strategic collaborations between the health sector and the media, ultimately leading to better-informed citizens, more responsive policies, and improved
