Some health correspondents have formed a unified network to enhance public health education in Kano State.

The platform, tagged the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON), seeks to strengthen media engagement and awareness creation on health, malnutrition, gender issues, among others.

The network is being facilitated by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) to strengthen engagement and advocacy on gender, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH), polio, nutrition and other public health concerns.

Membership of the group comprises Kano Health Reporters, Network of Reproductive Health Journalists (NRHJN), and Journalists Against Polio (JAP).

Moji Makanjoula, Executive Director of ISMPH, stated this at the unveiling ceremony on Saturday in Kano.

She said the move was imperative to bring together the groups under one umbrella, to ensure synergy among media practitioners.

Represented by Solomon Dogo, Programme Director, ISMPH, Ms Makanjoula said development partners preferred to work with the media as a unified network rather than fragmented groups.

According to Ms Makanjoula, the unified network is a commitment to fighting health challenges ranging from maternal and child mortality and other public health concerns in the state.

“The meeting is for us to align and to come together as a unified network to report on Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH), polio, nutrition and all other public health concerns.

“We are not going to dissolve any existing group. We want to see a unified network so that when development partners come to Kano, they would have a unified network rather than fragmented groups.

“We have done this in Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja and we are here in Kano,” she said.

Sabuwa Yahaya, State Programme Officer, ISMPH, said the network would form a formidable force to speak with one voice as a team.

She said the network would strengthen impact through improved coordination.

Jibrin Giginyu, state coordinator, International Budget Partnership (IBP), said the initiative would ensure strong health advocacy and bridge existing gaps.

The event featured the inauguration of the leadership of the network to manage its affairs in the state. 

(NAN)