Hauwa Usman
Dr. Hafsat Yahaya Yakasai of the Department of Public Administration, Bayero University, Kano has called on the media to be resilient in reporting maternal and child health issues in Kano state.
She made the call on Saturday at a training workshop on Strengthening Maternal and Child Healthcare for Media and Civil Society Organized (CSOs) by the Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) at Mambayya House, Kano.
According to Dr. Yakasai, the media play a vital role in providing health education and serve as mobilizers for the creation of demand and mobilization of resources which is not an easy task.
“To be resilient in reporting maternal healthcare issues, there is a need for the media to be optimistic to understand that what they do is for the sake of humanity and not for monetary benefit.
“There is also the need for the media to be confident and have empathy to motivate them to report what is needed for the necessary action required foster maternal and child healthcare in the state.”
Free Maternal Child Healthcare Bill
Dr. Yakasai said she is hopeful the Free Maternal Child Healthcare Bill that has scaled the second reading at the Kano state House of Assembly will be passed into law before the end of the present administration because the bill has metamorphosed through a rough path of a long journey.
“From all indications, that journey has come to an end since the FMNCH Bill has gone through the second reading.
“This bill (FMNCH) has gained the popular support of most of the political office holders through a retreat that was conducted by CHRICED to familiarize them with the content of the bill, in order to fast track the act of passing it into a law,” Dr. Yakasai added.
Earlier, in his welcome statement, the Executive Director, CHRICED, Comrade Dr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi represented by the Programs and Communication Manager, Amsfree Ajanaku said Nigeria is still not close to achieving the sustainable development goal of reducing the maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
“The reality is that Nigeria continues to wallow in the unacceptable situation of a maternal mortality ratio of 512 per 100,000 live births.
“It is sad to say, but the people who lose their lives are mothers, sisters, and wives who deserve to be alive to enjoy the joys of motherhood,” he added.
According to Dr. Zikirullah, these challenges, and the need to amplify them, reaffirm the enormous powers of the media, especially if it understands, embraces, and deploys its influence to shape the common good. A vibrant media, which knows of its functions, and makes the courageous decision to play those roles would contribute immensely to the realization of a truly democratic and accountable, and inclusive country.
He said CHRICED recognizes the critical function of the CSOs which have the requisite skill and capacity to raise important questions and seek sustainable solutions to key governance issues.
“With the right capacity and skill, the Media and CSOs will better serve society by holding duty bearers accountable, especially with respect to the use of public resources.” He added.
Comrade Dr. Zikirullah thanked the Misereor KZE of Germany for its support of the project.
