Niger ‘health misinformation committee’ begins sensitisation in parts of the State

Twenty five fellows of the Niger state health misinformation management team under the Nigeria Health Watch (NHW) have begun sensitization campaigns to parts the state on the dangers of not verifying information before sharing.

The Fellows who are drawn from various sector and led by the state team lead, Daniel Atori and partner organizations started the road walk from the popular Obasanjo Shopping Complex Roundabout through the heart of the state capital and wrapped up at the Late Sen. Dahiru Awaisu Primary Health Care, old Airport road Minna.

In his address, Mr. Atori explained that the team and its partners were at the health facility to sensitize the people on the dangers of health misinformation as it has devastating consequences on the individual, the community, as well as the state and country at large.

He said the Niger state health misinformation management fellowship is fighting against misinformation and rumours in the health sector as they undermine efforts of providing quality and affordable healthcare services to the people.

According to him “I want to appeal to you to disregard rumours and misinformation especially the ones related to health; always verify and seek for the correct information from credible sources only.

“If you see and receive any information you are not sure about particularly on social media spaces or from someone and you are not sure, please verify the information before you share”.

Various Speakers during the interactive session urged health seekers to shun rumours, self medication and always seek professional advise concerning their health.

The State Health Educator, Yusuf Ali charged the people to disregard misconceptions as regards some government health intervention programmes, especially those that have to do with immunization activities, saying “every immunization vaccine usually pass through various stages and are certified safe before usage”.

Some of the partners include Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Health Care, Commissioner for Primary Health Care, Ministry of Information, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Ministry of Women Affairs.

Highlight of the event was the distribution of long lasting insecticide nets (LLIN) to women at the primary healthcare facility and other patients.