The Niger State government, in collaboration with Nigeria Health Watch (NHW), has launched the first cohort of track two of the Niger State Health Misinformation Management Fellowship Programme. The event took place at the Haske Luxury Hotel in Minna on Friday, 12th Oct. 2024.
Highlighting the detrimental impact of misinformation on public health, Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Dangana, the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare in Niger State, emphasized the need for the fellowship to equip health professionals with the skills to combat misinformation effectively. Dr. Dangana stressed the importance of fostering trust in scientific health information within communities.
The Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics, Dr. Junaidu Inuwa, also expressed concerns about the hazards of misinformation on public health efforts and encouraged participants to actively engage with the training. The Programme Manager of Nigeria Health Watch, Mr. Abara Erim, reiterated the significance of accurate information in public health.
As the 18 selected fellows begin their two-month journey, they will focus on reducing health misinformation prevalence and spreading accurate health information to promote a healthier Niger State.