UNICEF has called on journalists in Plateau State to embrace positive journalism to improve awareness and advocacy surrounding maternal and child health.
Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of Field Office at UNICEF covering Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Plateau states made this call during a media engagement on Friday in Jos, highlighting the media’s crucial role in influencing public perception and promoting behavioral change in health practices.
Rafique pointed out that Nigeria continues to experience one of the highest maternal and child mortality rates in Africa. She emphasized that journalists have the power to shift this narrative by focusing on successful healthcare interventions, community progress, and positive health outcomes that can inspire public trust and encourage people to use health services.
Drawing on her experience in Pakistan, Rafique discussed how negative media coverage of maternal health had previously discouraged women from seeking medical care. She shared that the media’s focus on maternal deaths created fear among women, leading them to avoid healthcare facilities.
“However, when journalists started reporting on safe deliveries and successful interventions, the public’s perception shifted, resulting in more women seeking proper care and significantly reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates”.
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The UNICEF representative commended the Plateau State government for its efforts in improving primary healthcare and child nutrition. She acknowledged the state’s commitment to funding nutrition programs and providing safe delivery kits for pregnant women.
Rafique praised Plateau for its leadership, stating that despite challenges, the state’s actions in these areas serve as an example to others.
She highlighted critical areas in need of media attention, including birth registration, immunization, and nutrition. She particularly stressed the need to address the issue of zero-dose children those who have never received any vaccinations and urged journalists to advocate for the healthcare system to reach every child in need of immunization.
Opeyemi Olagunju, UNICEF’s Communication and Advocacy Officer for the five states also spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of targeted advocacy on children’s rights.
He highlighted birth registration as a gap and suggested that integrating it with immunization programs would streamline the process, ensuring that more children are registered and vaccinated.
The event aimed to foster greater collaboration between the media and UNICEF in promoting social development and children’s rights where Journalists were encouraged to actively engage with communities and report on issues such as child nutrition, school safety, and sanitation, using their platform to drive advocacy and inspire positive changes in Plateau State.
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