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Dr. Salma Anas, the special adviser on health to President Bola Tinubu, spoke at the 7th Annual Health Conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists about the high child mortality rate in the country. She attributed this high rate to a lack of functional Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs). According to Anas, the poorly functioning PHC systems have resulted in a lack of necessary equipment, low healthcare coverage, and inadequate financing in the health sector. She emphasized the importance of rebranding PHCs in order to guarantee health security and to prevent maternal and child deaths.
Anas stated that having an effective primary health care system is essential for building a healthier society and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 target of universal health coverage. She highlighted that PHCs should be structured to deliver services that address 80 percent of health issues and provide essential basic care. PHCs should also be community-owned and led for optimal utilization and sustainability. Anas emphasized the need for PHCs to be linked to secondary care facilities for ease of referral of complex cases.
Mrs. Chika Offor, the founder of the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC), also addressed the importance of vaccine advocacy by journalists. She stated that journalists play a crucial role in disseminating accurate information, countering vaccine hesitancy, holding authorities accountable, building trust, and fostering dialogue. Offor highlighted the significance of collaboration between the VNDC and the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ) to prioritize and improve healthcare services for vulnerable populations such as children and women. The partnership will involve initiatives such as increasing access to vaccines, improving immunization coverage, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure and services.
Overall, the speakers emphasized the need for functional PHCs and vaccine advocacy to improve health outcomes in Nigeria. They highlighted the crucial role of journalists in disseminating accurate information and building trust in vaccines and public health authorities. The collaboration between the VNDC and ANHEJ aims to contribute to the overall development and well-being of the Nigerian population, with a focus on children and women’s health.
