Gombe government has commended journalists working in the state, for educating the general public on Health-related issues, particularly family Planning, which reduced maternal mortality by 40% in the state.
The Director Community and family health at the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Maryam Abubakar gave the commendation at a Media roundtable on Family Planning supported by The Challenge Initiative, (TCI) held at Wildan Care office Gombe State.
The Director appreciated the contributions of the health reporters towards improving maternal and child health in Gombe adding most people are now aware of Family Planning practice.
In an address, the Deputy National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, who is also the Gombe State Chairman Advocacy Working Group on Child Spacing Alhassan Yahya lauded journalists for being part of the success stories of health campaigns in Gombe.
“The achievements made on the Family Planning were as a result of contributions of journalists who have used their various platforms to enlighten and educate the importance of accessing family planning services.
“Honestly we have lots of successes in this area of child spacing, and this was as a result of journalists hardwork, the knowledge has reached nooks and crannies of Gombe State, and I want to appreciate each and everyone here for your inputs for putting Gombe on a very good spot, people are learning from Gombe experience, and above all to Media outlets who are able to sacrifice their airtime for us free of charge, I appreciate them for that,” Yahya said.
In her remarks the Chairman Media working group, Rebecca Caleb Maina, said from the year 2020 to 2022 journalists in Gombe State, have filed more that 100, reports on child spacing in both Electronic and Print Media, which included human interests and success stories, and commended members for the job well done.
she attributed those successes to different trainings given to journalists on Family Planning-related issues.
She added that Journalists in Gombe were better equipped with the terms and technologies of child spacing, after DEVCOM/ TCI and Pathfinder trainings.
”We are a team working together towards achieving a goal which is to reduce maternal and child health in Gombe State, at this juncture I want to appreciate all of us for the successes recorded and partners for supporting us.”
Balkisu Lakuto, a journalist with Radio Gombe, said she learnt a lot on family planning terminologies during the meeting and her knowledge had improved on family planning method, “I will continue to educate people on the importance of child spacing,” she said.
