By Lizzy Carr
The Vice Chancellor Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University ATBU Bauchi Professor Ibrahim Hassan Garba has stated that the ability of journalists to translate complex health data into compelling, understandable, and culturally sensitive stories is crucial to ensuring that Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance CHAMPS’ valuable findings do not remain confined within academic circles but instead inspire action and change on the ground.
He spoke at a one day journalists forum for mainstreaming maternal and child health organized by CHAMPS -ATBU Program held in Bauchi.
Prof Ibrahim Hassan Garba said child mortality remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in Nigeria and across many parts of the world.
” Despite significant progress in recent years, preventable deaths among children under the age of five continue to claim far too many young lives and the CHAMPS initiative is dedicated to understanding the causes of these deaths through rigorous surveillance and data collection, with the ultimate goal of informing effective interventions and policies”.
The Vice Chancellor noted that the collaborative journey with journalists is to enhance collective efforts in reducing maternal and child mortality through informed and impactful journalism.
“Your ability to communicate complex health information to the public, raise awareness, and hold stakeholders accountable is invaluable”.
He added that the workshop is designed to equip journalists with the knowledge, tools, and ethical frameworks needed to report accurately and sensitively on child mortality and prevention efforts.
The objective is to equip journalists with accurate information on Maternal Child Health (MCH) issues and CHAMPS programs, enhance media capacity for evidence-based reporting on maternal and child health,foster collaboration between media, health professionals, and policymakers and to advocate for policy changes and increased public awareness on MCH.
Prof Ibrahim Hassan Garba added that the workshop is also to promote data-driven storytelling to influence public perception and decision-making.
“The findings and insights generated by the CHAMPS initiative are not just data points; they are powerful tools that can drive meaningful change in our communities and for these insights to translate into real-world impact, they must reach all key stakeholders, policymakers who design and fund health programs, community and religious leaders who influence public attitudes and behaviours, and the general public who are ultimately the beneficiaries of improved health interventions”.
To him disseminating CHAMPS activities is essential to equipped policy makers with evidence-based information to allocate resources effectively and implement targeted child mortality prevention strategies.
It will ensure that community and religious leaders understand the causes and prevention methods, enabling them to advocate for healthier practices and support local health initiatives while
the public gains awareness about the risks, preventive measures, and available health services, empowering caregivers to make informed decisions that protect their children.
“Journalists serve as the bridge connecting scientific research with the broader society. . By enhancing your skills in accurate reporting, ethical storytelling, and data interpretation, we empower you to be catalysts for change-champions who amplify the voices of vulnerable children and families and advocate for a healthier future”.
On his call to Action, the vice Chancellor said journalists are the bridge between scientific research and the public.
“Your stories can save lives by informing caregivers, communities, and policymakers about the realities and solutions surrounding child mortality”.
Principal investigator CHAMPS Dr Muhammad Bashir Faruk said the National Demographic Health Survey 2023/2024 indicates that Bauchi has a high rate of neonatal, infant and child mortality.
” For every 1000 live births, 48 within the first 28 days of life, while 77 die before their first birthday with 125 children die before they reach five years. These shows that Bauchi State records more deaths that the national rate”.
He noted that CHAMPS is out to investigate these deaths and the journalists are expected to write stories that give give policy makers accurate information to take actions that will prevent these mortalities.
Provost College of Medical Sciences ATBU, Professor Sambo Bello Zaillani represented by the Dean Basic Clinical professor Sani Malami noted that child mortality is as a result of preventable diseases.
He urged the participants to come up with evidence based stories that will enable the formulation of policy based on sound research.
Co Principal investigator CHAMPS’ ATBU Dr Lamaran Dattijo said CHAMPS is a global health surveillance network aimed at preventing childhood mortality in sub Sahara Africa and South Asia.
The program funded by Emory Global Health Institute is implementing in two universities in Nigeria.
CHAMPS ATBU is been implemented in Bauchi and Ganjuwa Local government areas.(www.krestnews.com).