By Festus Fifen.

Health Journalists, Professionals and Stakeholders have converged on Nasarawa state for the 4th Annual Health Conference organised by The Association of Nigeria Health Journalists ANHEJ.

The Three Days conference with the Theme: COVID-19 REPORTAGE ASSESSMENT is aimed at taking a critical look at the roles of the media in the fight against Covid-19, it’s effect and also to identify various ways to effectively present facts and figures to the public for easy understanding and assimilations of what they need to know about the dreaded virus.

Delivering a paper on the subject, CEO International Society of Media In Public Health Moji Makanjuola who was full of praises for Nigeria health Journalist for taking the Bull by the Horn in the midst of uncertainties during the reportage of the dreaded disease however called on health journalist to be more thorough with their reports and be visible in the new media so as to effectively provide credible information that will serve as a guild to the government and the people

In her words, ” The media, whether we like it or not, owe the human race the duty of disseminating information in a realistic, positive change effecting, and ameliorating manner.  Without evoking panic and fear, we can give a picture of reality and how to mitigate the imminent disasters.  We can improve dispositions, douse fear, anger, and anxiety and replace them with positive action when we act right.

” Many of our fellow media persons listened only to the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19.  We re-reported what has been said.  We did not practice journalism as we know and were taught to do.  We even played to some political galleries to assuage the powers that be so that we will not be said to be rocking the boat.”

In her goodwill message representative of the World Health Organisation WHO Charity Warigon, said health Journalist should do more in terms of sensitization and awareness creation since they are very influential in shaping attitudes, Behaviours which are some of the basics requirements in the fight against Covid-19.

Speaking Earlier in his welcome Address President Association of Nigeria Health Journalist Hassan Zaggi said though the Covid -19 pandemic has brought about a New Normal in the Journalism profession especially for health reporters, it should be well noted that the role of accurate reportage of the true position of things cannot be overlooked.

He there used the medium to call on his colleagues not to allow the several discouraging working conditions of journalist in Nigeria to deter them from doing the right things as far as accurate reportage is concern.

There were papers presentations from Africa Health Budget Network, AHBN, International Society of Media in Public Health ISMPH and other development partners.

Awards were presented to Health Reporters who were outstanding in the reportage of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Nigeria.