The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomole, has urged journalists to embrace evidence-based, solutions-focused reporting to improve public health outcomes and combat misinformation.
The Commissioner made the call while delivering his welcome remarks at the opening session of a four-day Solutions Journalism Reporting Field Trip on Sexual and Reproductive Health for journalists across the South West and South South regions of the country.
The Commissioner noted that journalists have a crucial role to play in strengthening public trust, shaping health policies, and promoting evidence-based reporting.
According to him, responsible health reporting has the power to save lives by improving public awareness, especially during disease outbreaks.
“As Commissioner for Health, I have seen firsthand how responsible journalism can transform public health. During outbreaks, accurate reporting saves lives. During immunisation campaigns, factual reporting increases vaccine acceptance. During health emergencies, balanced reporting reduces panic while encouraging appropriate action,” he said.
He warned that misinformation could undermine years of progress in the health sector, erode public trust and ultimately cost lives.
Highlighting the importance of evidence-based health reporting, the commissioner said Nigeria’s healthcare sector is filled with stories of innovation and resilience that deserve greater attention.
Dr Adams Oshiomole buttressed that, “across Nigeria, health workers continue to deliver quality care under challenging circumstances, communities are finding creative ways to improve maternal and child health, and young innovators are leveraging technology to bridge healthcare gaps. These stories deserve evidence-based reporting that highlights what works, what does not, and what lessons can be replicated.”
Speaking on solutions reporting on sexual and reproductive health services, Omeche Enemaku, the Regional Manager, South South and South West, MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices, highlighted the importance of reporting the gains in increasing uptake of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in different parts of the country.
Enemaku noted that there are different channels through which MSI ensures that women have access to accurate information and quality services regarding SRH, ranging from training healthcare providers to MS ladies who provide community-based services in underserved communities to mariestopes centres, outreaches, social marketing and contact centres.
She buttressed that MSI focus on women’s access to SRH services because women are the burden bearers, adding that access to SRH can reduce maternal mortality rate in the country.
Also, Olubunmi Oyebanji, Senior Editor, Nigeria Health Watch, shared that every solutions journalism story should define the problem briefly, explain the response, capture the evidence, the insights, limitations and what is left to be done.
Journalists drawn from 9 states across the South West and South South will embark on field trips to engage with community members across different parts of Edo State.
The field reporting trip was organised by MSI Reproductive Choices in collaboration with Nigeria Health Watch.
