By Asanath Paris
Rotary International has trained no fewer than 20 Gombe Journalists on effective reporting on reproductive maternal, neonatal, and child health issues in Nigeria.
The training which lasted for three days has drawn journalists from Print, Electronic and Online.
In her opening remark, Capacity Building Specialist at Rotary International, Ms Mary Alaje highlighted the aim of the programme said the aim of the training was to equip journalists with the needed skills for effective RMCH coverage and other health issues.
In his remark, National Coordinator, Country Director Rotary International Prof. Emmanuel Lufadeju said Nigeria is the Awardee of the 2nd ‘’Program of Scale (PoS), a 2 million US dollar grant, for improvement of Maternity and Child Health code named -“Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria”.
Represented by Rotarian Muhammad Ndus
the country Director said, Rotary’s intervention in the area of maternal and child health projects in Nigeria has improved accessibility, availability, affordability, and quality of care in Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs).
He said Rotary is working in three states, namely Gombe,Ekiti,Nasarawa, Federal Capital Territory inclusive.
The coordinator said two secondary health facilities and twelve primary health care in two local government areas from each of the states and one secondary facility in Abuja were selected for the programme.
He added that the programme has trained health personnel, equipped health facilities with drugs and other health stuffs as well as canvassing support through advocacy visits to religious and traditional leaders to support RMCH issues.
In his presentation, Monitoring and evaluation expert from Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mr. Christopher Istakis emphasised the need for participants to understand and be able to interpret data for effective reporting.
Also, coordinator, primary health care Haj. Ashatu Umar, urged journalists to sensitise the public on RMCH activity.
She lamented that harmful practices at home, myths, and misconceptions prevented some people from accessing good medical care, thereby hindering the progress of RMCH and posing danger to the lives of so many people.
The Director General of Gombe Media Cooperation, Malam Ibrahim Isa, has equipped the participants with requisite skills and techniques for investigative journalism, Multimedia story telling, Ethics and Sensitivity in RMNCH and other health related issues.
He charged the participants to be professional in their reportage by abiding to the ethnics of the profession, especially in handling sensitive topics.
Hotpen reports that highlight of the training was a panel discussion on RMCH ,chaired by the Former Director of National Orientation Agency, Mr. Ado Solomon.
