UNICEF Urges Journalists to Champion Primary Healthcare Accountability
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on journalists to play a pivotal role in improving primary healthcare delivery across states by participating in taskforces and accountability structures.
This appeal was made by Professor Oluseyi Olasunde, a Health Officer at UNICEF, during an engagement session with journalists from Taraba, Gombe, and Bauchi States held in Jos.
“One of the things we are leaving this place with as a call to action is for journalists to be part of the coordination for primary healthcare in their various states,” Prof. Olasunde said.
“There is what we call a state taskforce on primary healthcare where governance, leadership, resource mobilization, and resource allocation are discussed. Journalists’ participation will provide them with a direct understanding of the direction of government,” he added.
He emphasised that journalists’ involvement in these taskforces would enhance their access to critical health data, thereby enabling them to better report on the health situations in their states.
Prof. Olasunde also underscored the importance of journalists in monitoring and accountability structures for primary healthcare, urging them to keep caregivers, health workers, and policymakers accountable.
“The National Demographic Health Survey 2023/2024 Report, which we shared today, highlights key issues in healthcare delivery. Media professionals, as gatekeepers and windows to the public, are crucial in ensuring that caregivers and policymakers act on these findings,” he added.
He expressed optimism that engaging journalists would lead to tangible improvements in healthcare delivery. “We look forward to great results because media people are good at putting people on their toes,” he said.
The session marked a significant step in UNICEF’s ongoing efforts to leverage media partnerships to improve primary healthcare outcomes in Nigeria.