Journalists have been urged to embrace evidence-based reporting to strengthen accountability in Nigeria’s primary healthcare system and contribute to improved health outcomes.
The call was made by the Executive Director of the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH),Dr. Moji Makanjuola, during a two-day media engagement workshop for selected journalists in Kano.
The workshop was organised by the Kano State Ministry of Health in collaboration with ISMPH, the EngenderHealth Consortium Partnership and the Unified Health Media Network.
Represented by the ISMPH Programmes/MEAL Manager, Philip Muoneke, Makanjuola said journalists play a role that extends beyond reporting events, noting that the media shapes public discourse, amplifies the voices of communities and bridges the gap between government and citizens.
She said by asking informed questions, verifying facts and presenting evidence-based reports, journalists contribute to improved governance and better health outcomes.
According to her, improving healthcare delivery requires not only reliable data but also a media that can accurately interpret, contextualise and communicate health information in ways that enable citizens to make informed decisions and hold institutions accountable.
She explained that participants would deepen their understanding of Primary Health Care Accountability Scorecards, Integrated Supportive Supervision findings, Primary Health Care Facility Assessment Tool results and health financing data.
She added that the workshop would equip journalists with the skills to transform data and evidence into compelling, balanced and solutions-oriented stories that inform citizens, encourage transparency and strengthen accountability in the health sector.
Makanjuola reaffirmed ISMPH’s dedication to working with government institutions, media organisations, civil society organisations and development partners to strengthen health journalism and promote accountability within Nigeria’s health system.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON), Comrade Hauwa Zahradeen, represented by the Vice Chairman, Comrade Mustapha Hodi Adamu, described the workshop as timely and significant.
She stressed the network’s commitment to supporting ethical, evidence-based health reporting that promotes transparency, accountability and improved healthcare delivery.
Representatives of EngenderHealth, the Leadership Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL), the Community of Practice for Citizen-Centred Service Initiative (CCSI) and other partner organisations also addressed participants, stressing the importance of collaboration between the media and the health sector in advancing primary healthcare accountability.
Themed: “Amplifying and Framing Narratives on Primary Health Care (PHC) Accountability Scorecards Using Evidence-Based Insights from Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) and PHC Facility Assessment Tool (PHC-FAT) Findings.”
The two-day workshop brought together journalists from across Kano State to strengthen their capacity to report on primary healthcare governance using credible data and evidence, with the aim of promoting transparency, accountability and improved service delivery.