Gombe Commissioner for Health Commends Rotary for Media Training on RMCH
From Rabilu Abubakar, Gombe
Gombe State Commissioner for Health Dr Habu Dahiru has commended Rotary for organizing a 3 day’ workshop for Journalists on Reproductive maternal and Child Health (RMCH) for effective coverage.
Habu Dahiru, gave the commendation while speaking newsmen on the impact of the training on journalists and more especially those covering health activities in the state.
He said the workshop is apt because training is the bedrock for effective performance of journalists in dissemination of needed and advocacy messages to people on how to access health programmes for maximum benefits.
The Commissioner further explained that the training will also equip journalists with the requisite knowledge and modern skills of reportage, especially the sensitivity of reporting health issues.
He warned them to be very careful on how to report outbreaks of diseases encouraging them to professionally treat such issues by investigating the issue to determine the facts so as not to create atmosphere of panic that will scare the populace ’as professionals i urged you to do everything professionally in delivering quality information not like the social media who are always in a hurry to break the news”
He urged participants to stay attentive and take their time to learn the nitty gritty of health related matters as according to him the facilitators are veterans and fully equipped in their fields of respective professions.
He further commended Rotary International for coming to Gombe state to engage with journalists and key government officials to develop strategic plan for implementation in the state, identify areas of need and train the implementers as well as establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
Dahiru, said when Governor Inuwa Yahaya, resume office the ministry of health did an assessment of maternal and child deaths with the objective of addressing the challenges to reduce the rate of deaths.
According to him following the government’s intervention Gombe State now have 114 functional Primary health Care Centers PHC and each has qualified midwives and in all general hospitals Maternity and Labour Rooms were expanded, equipped and also training of personnel was accorded priority to tackle maternal, neonatal and child health challenges to reduce their negative impact on societal health.
