Nigeria has renewed its commitment to transforming Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery as key government officials, governors, development partners, and media professionals convened in Abuja to forge a new path toward reducing maternal deaths and improving community health systems.
The High-Level Health Media Dialogue, themed “Strengthening Primary Healthcare: A Collaborative Approach to Reducing Maternal Mortality and Enhancing Child Health in Nigeria,” underscored the need for collaboration, accountability, and effective communication to achieve meaningful health reform.
The event was organized by the International Society for Media in Public Health (ISMPH) under the Advocacy Solution Project, implemented by EngenderHealth with funding support from international partners including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
It brought together participants from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, state governments, and media organizations to align policy with public engagement and accountability.
In her welcome address, Dr. (Mrs.) Moji Makanjuola, MFR, Executive Director of ISMPH and veteran broadcaster, described the dialogue as “a strategic convergence designed to connect communication, policy, and accountability toward improving national health outcomes.”
She noted that while Nigeria has made policy progress, the country still faces worrying maternal and child health challenges.
Citing the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), Makanjuola revealed that Nigeria records one of the highest maternal mortality ratios globally—512 deaths per 100,000 live births—and an under-five mortality rate of 102 deaths per 1,000 live births.
“These figures translate into about 82,000 women dying annually from preventable pregnancy-related causes,” she said.
“One in every ten Nigerian children still dies before their fifth birthday.
“These are not just statistics; they represent families, communities, and futures lost.”
She called for joint responsibility among government, civil society, and the media to reverse the trend, stressing that journalism is central to accountability and sustainable reform.
“When journalists investigate the state of PHC centres, track budgets, or highlight gaps in service delivery, they become part of the solution,” she said.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, commended ISMPH and EngenderHealth for creating a platform that bridges government and public engagement.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to reposition the health sector through transparency and citizen participation.
“The Federal Government has made significant investments in Primary Health Care financing, but money alone is not enough,” he said.
“We need oversight and collaboration to ensure that every naira allocated to health reaches the people it is meant to serve.”
Pate urged journalists to embrace what he described as “constructive accountability,” adding that the media has the power to shape perception and mobilize citizens toward positive action.
“The media can help create a narrative of possibility and renewal,” he said.
“Constructive journalism can inspire leaders and citizens to act in rebuilding our health system.”
Governors from Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos shared progress made in strengthening PHC delivery in their states.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani disclosed that his administration had recruited 1,800 new health workers, improved pay to retain staff, and consistently allocated 15 percent of the state budget to health.
“Sustainability depends on transparency and accountability—and the media plays a key role in ensuring this,” he said.
In Kano State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was praised for achieving a 91 percent health budget performance in 2024, among the highest in Nigeria.
Health experts at the dialogue encouraged the state to direct more resources toward PHC to deepen community-level impact.
Lagos State, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was also commended for investing in PHC infrastructure, creating six district health offices, and expanding insurance coverage through the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA).
Stakeholders, however, called for greater alignment with the 15 percent Abuja Declaration target and the establishment of a Drug and Medical Supplies Management Agency for efficiency.
Representing the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Uche Amaonwu, Country Director for Nigeria, described the media as a vital “watchdog and accountability partner” in promoting effective governance.
“When journalists track budgets, uncover service gaps, or document the experiences of frontline workers, they bring visibility to issues that influence policy,” he said.
He also called for greater investment in data training for journalists to strengthen evidence-based reporting and oversight.
“Our goal should be to empower journalists to tell the human stories behind the numbers and hold stakeholders accountable,” he added.
Dr. Kabir Atta, Project Director of the Advocacy Solution Project and Country Director of EngenderHealth, highlighted the project’s achievements across Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna States, noting that it demonstrates how collaboration and data-driven advocacy can transform commitments into measurable outcomes.
“The success we’re seeing from this project is a testament to what partnership can achieve,” he said.
“By linking advocacy with data, we ensure that promises are not just made but kept.”
Preliminary results from the project show improved immunization coverage, stronger PHC supervision, and increased citizen participation in health monitoring.
Participants at the event reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Nigeria’s Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) goals, emphasizing that communication, transparency, and media engagement are essential to achieving sustainable progress.
In her closing remarks, Makanjuola summed up the essence of the dialogue: “This is not just a conversation; it is a movement for change.
“We must reimagine a Nigeria where no mother dies giving life and no child is denied the right to survive and thrive.
“When the media, government, and citizens work together, health becomes not just a policy goal but a shared national promise.”
The Abuja dialogue marked a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
With government commitment, active state participation, and a mobilized media serving as an accountability partner, stakeholders believe the country is closer than ever to breaking the cycle of preventable maternal and child deaths.
The High-Level Health Media Dialogue was organized by ISMPH under the Advocacy Solution Project, implemented by EngenderHealth with support from development partners, as part of the national RMNCAH+N initiative to promote accountability, advocacy, and evidence-based communication in Nigeria’s health system.
