As part of efforts to improve Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Primary Health Care (PHC) advocacy in Kano State, health journalists have inaugurated a unified platform known as the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON).
The network was inaugurated during an Alignment, Coordination, Monitoring and Implementation Meeting for Media Coalitions on Gender-Responsive RMNCAH and PHC Advocacy organized by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) under the EngenderHealth-led Consortium in Kano.
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Members of the network unanimously selected Khadijah Aliyu as Chairperson of KAHJON through a consensus arrangement. Mustapha Hodi Adamu as Vice Chairperson, while Abdullahi Alhassan emerged as Secretary and Mustapha Salisu as Public Relations Officer.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of ISMPH, Dr. Moji Makanjuola, represented by the organization’s Programme Director, Mr. Solomon Dogo, said the initiative was designed to bring existing health reporting groups under one coordinated structure to improve coverage of critical health issues such as polio eradication, nutrition, maternal health and other public health priorities.
He noted that aligning journalists under a unified network would foster collaboration among media practitioners working on different health issues, thereby enhancing advocacy efforts and contributing to improved health outcomes.
According to him, similar networks have already been established in Lagos and Kaduna States, where development partners have expressed commitment to supporting health-related advocacy initiatives.
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Dogo congratulated the newly elected executives of KAHJON and described the initiative as a strategic step toward consolidating fragmented health journalism platforms in the state.
He commended journalists in Kano for their dedication to promoting public health issues and urged the newly inaugurated network to work diligently towards advancing healthcare advocacy and supporting efforts aimed at achieving global health standards.
In her remarks, ISMPH Programme Officer in Kano State, Sabuwa Yahaya, said the network would improve coordination among journalists, facilitate access to health information and data, and strengthen advocacy efforts directed at both government institutions and local communities.
She added that the unified platform would make health reporting more effective, impactful and capable of driving positive change in the healthcare sector.
The event featured goodwill messages from development partners, including IBP, LISDEL, CCSI, SANDHEF and CHAI, as well as Public Relations Officers from the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Drug Management and Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA), and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA).
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A major highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which officially marked the commencement of activities of the newly established Kano Health Journalists Network.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that KAHJON would serve as a strong platform for promoting evidence-based health reporting, strengthening media advocacy and supporting efforts to improve healthcare delivery across Kano State.