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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
Rotary International, a non-governmental organization, has emphasized the need to support maternal and newborn child health to prevent unnecessary deaths. To achieve this, the organization trained 20 journalists in Nasarawa State on ethical best practices in reporting Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH) issues.
The three-day training held at Kini country Home, Akwanga Local government area of Nasarawa state on Friday, tagged “The Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health space in Nigeria,” was organized in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health. Journalists from print, electronic, and online media organizations in the state attended the training.
Professor Emmanuel Odunze, President of Rotary International, said the workshop aimed to equip journalists with accurate information to effectively report RMNCH issues. “We want to impact relevant information and reshape the perception of people,” he said through his program manager, Toyosi Adebambo.
Odunze emphasized the need for men to encourage women to attend antenatal care to reduce cases of maternal, neonatal, and child spacing. He noted that Rotary International has been intervening in issues concerning women and children for over 100 years, including the eradication of polio in Nigeria.
Toyosi Adebambo, Program Manager of Rotary International, explained that the organization focuses on providing medical support to women and children in rural and urban communities to reduce maternal and child deaths. He highlighted harmful practices affecting RMNCH, such as circumcision of the girl-child and refusal to adopt child spacing methods.
Mr. Elvis Chukwu, Past District Governor and Rotary Zonal Coordinator of the North Central, described the rate of maternal, infant, and child mortality in Nigeria as worrisome. He called on stakeholders, including the press, to support efforts to tackle the issue. “Nigeria is a priority country in Africa for Rotary International, and we have been instrumental in the eradication of polio in Nigeria,” he said.
Dr. Gaza Gwamna, Commissioner for Health, and Dr. Ibrahim Alhassan, Director of Public Health, Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, welcomed participants to the training and urged them to take it seriously. They commended Rotary for the partnership and training for journalists on proper reportage of RMNCH issues.
Mrs. Ashezi Ezekiel, Rotary RMNCH Midwife, appealed to men to get involved in adopting child spacing methods to ensure the health of their children and wives. “Let’s work together to reduce maternal and child mortality in Nigeria,” she said.
Mr. Abel Leonard, Nasarawa correspondent for The Sun Newspapers, expressed his gratitude for the training, stating that it has broadened his understanding of health reporting. “This training has been an eye-opener for me.
I have learned new ways of reporting health-related issues, and how to use terminologies accurately,” he said.
Leonard emphasized that the training has equipped him with the skills to report health issues more effectively, and he looks forward to applying his new knowledge in his future reports.
Esther Ena of Precious FM Lafia also commended the training, noting that it has enhanced her understanding of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH) issues.
“The training has been very informative, and I appreciate the facilitators for sharing their expertise with us,” she said. Ena expressed her enthusiasm for applying her new knowledge to report health issues more accurately and effectively, and to contribute to the improvement of health outcomes in her community.
Sun gathered that the training aimed to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills to report RMNCH issues effectively, thereby supporting the efforts of Rotary International and the government to reduce maternal and child mortality in Nigeria.
