By Ibrahim Salihu
The Niger State government, in partnership with Nigeria Health Watch (NHW), officially inaugurated the cohort 1 track two of the Niger State Health Misinformation Management Fellowship program on Friday at the Haske Luxury Hotel in Minna.
During the event, Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Dangana, the state commissioner for primary healthcare, highlighted the critical impact of misinformation on public health, stating that even a single erroneous piece of information can undermine decades of health progress.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Imam, the commissioner emphasized the urgent need for the fellowship especially as communities face dual challenges from diseases and the rapid spread of misinformation.
The fellowship aims to empower health professionals, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and traditional health practitioners, with the skills to combat misinformation within their communities.
Dr. Dangana encouraged fellows to collaborate and build a synchronized approach to foster trust in scientific health information. He then appreciated Nigeria Health watch and it’s team for their support and commitments towards combating health Misinformation in Niger state
Dr. Junaidu Inuwa, the Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics, echoed these concerns, noting that misinformation poses significant hazards in public health efforts. He urged participants to actively engage with the training and apply their knowledge practically.
The program manager of Nigeria Health Watch, Mr. Abara Erim, reiterated the importance of accurate information in public health, detailing that the fellowship targets health service providers to enhance their capacity to combat misinformation effectively.
As the 18 selected fellows embark on this two-month journey, they will work to reduce the prevalence of health misinformation and leverage community trust to spread accurate health information, fostering a healthier Niger State.