The media in Adamawa has been commended for it active role in mobilizing the public in the ongoing effort to contain cholera outbreak in Yola Metropolis and its environs.
The Adamawa State Director Public Health, Dr Bwalki Dilli, made the commendation Friday in Yola while speaking at a meeting to review the activities of Journalists Against Polio (JAP) in the state.
Dilli said the recent outbreak of cholera in Yola North, Yola South and Girei Local Government Areas of the state was being effectively managed with the support of partners like the media, WHO and UNICEF.
Dilli said the media through JAP members provided the needed information to the public, particularly on hygiene to contain the spread.
He also noted the drastic decrease in accepting immunization in the state to media enlightenment of the public.
“Public health cannot succeed without information communication and the people that drive it are the journalists,” Dilli said.
He urged for more collaboration between JAP and Ministry of Health in mobilizing the public on issues in the health sector.
Also addressing the meeting, the Surveillance Officer of World Health Organization (WHO) in Adamawa, Dr Jerry Pantuvo, who also lauded the media for it role, said the media need to do more particularly in the area of attracting government attention to real causes of cholera in some communities which has to do with things like open defecation,sanitation and over crowding for it to act towards lasting solution.
Pantuvo said WHO on its part has been assisting the state in the control of cholera outbreaks in many ways including the setting up of treatment centres and mobilizing search teams to identify cases in affected communities.
He said that WHO also coordinate responses during outbreaks for effective control.
Highlights of the occasion include the presentation of JAP score card by the outgoing JAP leadership and contributions on the roles expected of the media during health emergencies by representatives of Ministry of Health, WHO and UNICEF.
The meeting also witnessed the inauguration of new leadership for JAP under the newly elected State Chairman of NUJ, Mr Ishaku Donald Dedan, while the General Manager of Fombina FM, Yola, Alhaji Dahiru Garba Mohammed was unanimously endorsed as Co-Chairman by members following his nomination for the position at the meeting.
