Diseases: WHO tasks journalists on more active role in Borno

The World Health Organisation (WHO), Acting Emergency Manager in Borno, Dr Samuel Yenyi, has called for a more active role  of journalists in controlling disease outbreaks.

Yenyi made the call at the closing ceremony of a three-day training workshop for Journalists and Social Media influencers in Borno on reporting public health emergencies, organised by WHO in collaboration with Borno Government.

Yenyi said the training was designed to empower the journalists to be better public health ambassadors that would educate and enlighten the the public on taking preventive and other measures needed to contain prone outbreaks like Cholera, Meningitis and Lassa fever, among others.

He observed that in 2021, the state recorded 5,903 cases of cholera with 141 deaths, with 12,479 cases recorded in 2022 with 288 deaths, adding that the public needs adequate enlightenment on what to do during such outbreak to minimise casualties.

“Your presence here is to help the population, ministry of health and the government of Borno to be able to bring these cases down; we want your support so that cases could be prevented or minimised in 2023.

“If the media plays its part, community leaders play their role and health personnel play their part, we will get low number of cases.

“Outbreaks control are like security issues, if you see something, say something for prompt action,” Yenyi said.

The Executive Director of Borno Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Lawi Mshelia, who spoke on behalf of Borno Government, reiterated the commitment of the government to work with partners for effective surveillance and response to outbreaks.

“You need to work smartly to be effective in supporting the system in sensitisation and creating awareness.

“Currently there is ongoing routine immunisation campaign and very soon we will start Yellow fever vaccination campaign in selected areas,” Mshelia said.

Some of the papers presented at the training for 75 participants include: “Overview of Epidemic Prone Diseases,” “What the Public Needs to know about deseases: Basic facts, Concerns, Issues and Recommendations for Prevention,” and “WHO’s Mandate in Health Emergencies.”

Others are: “What the Public Want which the Media do not offer during outbreaks,”  “What Editors want which news reports lack during Public Health Emergencies,” “Contemporary issues in Reporting During Public Health Emergencies,” and “Health Reporting from a Development Communication Perspective.”