By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) led by veteran journalist, Moji Makanjuola, has in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government, organised a 3 day workshop for journalists in the state on health reporting and other aspects of information dissemination that will enhance the health sector.

The Executive Director of ISMPH, Moji Makanjuola,said at the workshop that the media are partners in development, and their role in public health goes beyond dissemination, but helping to drive behavior change.

Represented by ISMPH Program Director, Solomon Dogo, Makanjuola said  that the training was part of a larger initiative being implemented in Kaduna, Kano, and Niger states, designed to improve media literacy around health topics and build the capacity of reporters to drive community-level change through informed reporting.

She said “the media is key in the dissemination of quality health messages to the larger public” and recognised the leadership and technical contributions of partners, EngenderHealth (the lead implementing organisation), CCSI and LISDEL.

Media practitioners in the state at 3-day training workshop were trained on reporting Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH), PHC, SWAp, health financing, and newborn care.

The Commissioner of Health in Kaduna State, Hajiya Umma K. Ahmed, said at the workshop that “the media plays a crucial role in shaping public understanding and attitudes towards health.”

She disclosed that Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has approved recruitment of 1,800 health workers to revitalize Primary Health Care centres (PHCs), in the state.

“I have already presented a memo for recruitment of health workers for the secondary facilities and teaching hospitals, which we’re hoping the governor would soon approve, and the portal for the recruitment of the 1,800 PHC workers will be out, and we’ll start the recruitment process,” she said.

The commissioner emphasized the central role of the media in shaping public perception and driving action around health priorities, she praised the media and noted that accurate and consistent health reporting is not only a tool for public enlightenment but a pillar for development.

While underscoring the importance of the health sector in every state, she noted that only a healthy nation can be productive, hence the Governor Sani’s administration gives the highest budgetary allocation to the sector.

According to her;  “The Abuja declaration prerequisite for the health sector is 15 per cent of budgetary allocation, but, Kaduna State allocated 16.07 per cent to the health sector in 2025, which shows the commitment and importance attached to the sector by Government.”

Speaking on human resources for the sector, the commissioner said there are no areas in the current administration’s sustained agenda that the governor has not touched, hence he is working assiduously to ensure the state government delivers on its mandate.

On health workers  leaving the country for greener pastures,the commissioner said the Kaduna State Government is doing all it could to improve the remuneration of health workers in the state. 

“Just last week, Governor Uba Sani approved payment for hazard allowance to medical doctors, which is an improvement.

“The governor equally asked for what it would take the State Government to implement the 2019 Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), and the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) allowances for our medical doctors.”

She said this will require State Government to spend over N400 million monthly to be able to implement the programme, adding that the government is still struggling to pay salaries of workers because of the inherited debts.

She said the  governor has also approved the balance for 2024 and that of 2025 payment of medical residency, training allowances, and the hazard allowances for all medical doctors in the state.

While calling on the media to adequately sensitize the public to reduce to the barest minimum maternal and child mortality in the state, she said “we have no reason whatsoever to lose a woman during child birth,women in the rural areas must go for ante-natal clinic at least four times before delivery.”

A health systems consultant, Dr. Anthony Shamang, who spoke on behalf of Gates Foundation, said the training was a critical component in Kaduna’s journey towards more inclusive and responsive healthcare delivery.

“The Gates Foundation has worked in Kaduna State for over a decade. We began with support for routine immunisation and have since expanded to broader health system strengthening,” he said.

He said the Gates Foundation operates as a funding partner, supporting governments and implementing organisations like EngenderHealth, ISMPH, and others to execute projects in the health sector.