UMTH CMD approves NUJ chapel, promises training for health reporters

By Ahmed Ahmed

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Prof. Faruk Buba, has approved the establishment of a chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) within the hospital.

Buba also promised to collaborate with the NUJ, Borno State Council, to organise specialised training programmes for health reporters to enhance professional competence and improve health reporting.

The CMD made the commitments on Wednesday in Maiduguri when he received a delegation of the NUJ, led by its Chairman, Malam Abdulkareem Haruna, on a courtesy visit.

He directed the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), and the Director of Administration to explore avenues for collaboration with the union on capacity-building initiatives for health journalists.

Buba said he was impressed by the professionalism of BBC health reporters, particularly their command of medical terminology, expressing his desire to develop similar expertise among Nigerian journalists.

He also urged journalists to uphold ethical standards in information dissemination, especially on public health issues, to ensure accuracy and protect public interest.

The CMD described UMTH as the largest tertiary medical facility in West Africa, with at least 12 specialised medical centres, adding that the management would sustain efforts to maintain the hospital’s reputation.

Earlier, Haruna said the proposed NUJ chapel would provide information officers in the hospital with opportunities for professional development, ethical guidance and networking.

He said the union was also seeking UMTH’s support in organising health reporting workshops, seminars and clinical facility orientations for journalists covering medical and humanitarian issues.

Haruna commended the hospital for its contributions to healthcare delivery during nearly two decades of insurgency in Borno, noting that it continued to provide trauma care and treat casualties under challenging conditions.

He assured the CMD of the NUJ’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with the hospital to promote effective public health communication and responsible journalism.