Kano, Lafiya UK train journalists on COVID-19 reporting

By Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

The Kano State Ministry of Health State Task Force on COVID-19 with partnership from Lafiya UK supporting has trained no fewer than 100  journalists on strategies and standard infection precautions for media workers while reporting the pandemic.

The training attracted media men, medical personnel, representative of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control(NCDC) and members of the organising groups.

The training provided in-depth knowledge on the COVID-19 such as mode of transmission, prevention, control, classification and with special focus on how journalist should stay safe from contracting the virus during the course of the duties to save themselves and their loved ones from infection.

Amedical personnel, Dr Musa Bello noted for journalists to remain safe from the virus, they must adhere strictly to all outlined preventive, safety and control measures outlined by NCDC.

A representative of the State Task Force on COVID-19, Auwalu Abdu Fagge, stated that a lot was expected from media such as generating contents that would further educate the publics in the state on what people should know about the disease, prevention and what to do if one contracts it.

According to him, the media has the power on influencing people’s decisions and choices as it passes on information even to the most remote communities of the society especially the radio.

Fagge added that at such a time, media practitioners should take it upon themselves as part of their corporate social responsibility by keeping the people updated on the ongoing pandemic which has claimed thousands of lives worldwide and brought about untold hardship to mankind.

State Coordinator, Accountability and Advocacy, Lafiya UK supporting health to Nigeria, Hajiya Umma Rakana, charged reporters on ensuring overall accountability in COVID-19 response.

She said journalists must checkmate those saddled with the responsibilities of handling the pandemic on issues of management of resources, funds, patients’ care as well as palliatives to help cushion the effects of the pandemic.

Rakana urged them not to relent to disseminate their findings through the provision of right information in their various platforms which will serve as a call to action on the part of those in authority where necessary.