Nigeria Health Watch awards exemplary reporting on Epidemic Preparedness and Response funding

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of accurate and timely  reportage on outbreaks, epidemics and other issues of public health importance,  and the key role journalists play in keeping the public informed and  policy/decision makers accountable.

The media also plays a very important role in  combating misinformation and boosting adherence to public health measures, by  communicating clear and evidence-based editorial.  

This year’s winners, out of a total of 110 entries, excellently and consistently  exemplified this, reporting on the need to boost local vaccine manufacturing to  prepare for the next pandemic (print), contiguously build systems that can  respond timely to local outbreaks (TV), and fund epidemic preparedness and  response activities at national and subnational levels (radio). They kept pace with  the rapid transition of the pandemic while providing timely and quality editorial.  

They include: 

▪ Print/ Online News Category - Abdulqudus Ogundapo – The Nation for his  story titled “How poor funding, low technology hinders local COVID-19  vaccine production” 

▪ Television Programme Category - Ezedimbu Karen Ogom – AIT, titled  “Nigeria's Cholera Nightmare”

▪ Radio Category - Kimberly Nwachukwu – Nigeria Info, for exemplary  reporting of COVID-19 and Epidemic Preparedness 

▪ Media House category - ARISE Television, for exemplary reporting of  COVID-19 and Epidemic Preparedness 

Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, Director General, Nigeria Center for Disease Control, stated in his keynote speech the important role of the media in health  security COVID-19 and beyond that media is key raising awareness in  epidemic preparedness by disseminating information to the public. 

Adetifa also emphasized that the media holds everyone accountable to  advocate for the government to invest in health security and protect the  health of citizens in the country which has helped in increased funding both  at the federal and state level 

Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch, “It is  important for the media to continue to challenge their reporting skills and  ensure that Nigerians are well informed on the current state of epidemics in  the country”. 

Ihekweazu further stated that “we are proud of the winners that emerged  this year and we encourage more health journalists to report more on the  need for epidemic preparedness and response funding”. 

About Nigeria Health Watch 

Nigeria Health Watch is a not-for-profit health communication and advocacy  organization that seeks to advocate for better healthcare for Nigerians,  engaging and supporting the government to raise awareness, knowledge, and  engagement on a wide range of health issues in Nigeria. 

We aim to hold duty bearers accountable for delivering affordable and quality  healthcare to Nigerians. The unique capacity of Nigeria Health Watch lies in 

its communication expertise which enables the organisation to provide  solutions for evidence-based advocacy and communication in the health  sector. 

Learn more at www.nigeriahealthwatch.com 

For more information about the #PreventEpidemicsNaija Journalism Awards  please contact: 

Contact person Nigeria Health Watch: Uche Nwagboso 

Email: uche@nigeriahealthwatch.com

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