ISMPH Joins Forces with Health Journalists to Reduce Maternal Mortality

Ayodeji Ake
 
The International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) has joined forces with health journalists as part of the strategies to increase awareness and education on the reduction maternal mortality in Lagos State.

Speaking at a two-day training programme for Traditional Media influencers in Lagos recently, organized by ISMPH in collaboration with the Lagos State Government and EngenderHealth, the Director of Programmes, ISMPH, Mr. Solomon Dogo, explained that the importance of the forces is to reduce the high maternal mortality statistics to derank Nigeria from the second-highest globally.

In this regard, Dogo said that the media professionals have been identified by the ISMPH, alongside the Legislature and Executive arms of government, as critical stakeholders.

He further said that the training is part of a three-year pilot project in Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna, to improve RMNCAH+N outcomes, creating awareness and education through the media.

The facilitator, Mr Olumide Olaniyan, while charging the participants on ethical reportage, urged health journalists to be disclaimers of misinformation and agents of social change in areas of Gender, Gender Based Violence, Family Planning, and National Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health.

Speaking on behalf of the Lagos State Government, Public Affairs Officer in the Ministry of Health, Mr Segun Ogunyinka, highlighted conscious efforts of the government at promoting Maternal and Child Mortality and prevention of Gender Based Violence, but noted the need for better collaboration across all levels.