By Christiana Lot, Jos –
Journalists in Plateau State have been urged to embrace positive journalism to drive awareness and advocacy for maternal and child health.
The Chief of Field Office at UNICEF Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, made the call during a media engagement in Jos, emphasizing the media’s role in shaping public perception and influencing behavioral change.
“Nigeria has one of the highest maternal and child mortality rates in Africa. Journalists have the power to change this narrative. When we highlight progress in healthcare, successful interventions, and the good work being done, people will begin to trust and embrace these services,” she said.
Dr. Rafique recounted her experience in Pakistan, where negative reporting on maternal health facilities discouraged women from seeking hospital care. “The news focused only on maternal deaths, creating the impression that going to a facility meant certain death,” she said.
“But when journalists started reporting success stories—women who had safe deliveries—community perception changed, and more women began seeking medical care. This led to a significant reduction in maternal and newborn mortality.”
She urged journalists to promote best practices while discouraging harmful traditions that hinder children’s development. Commending the Plateau State government for its efforts in primary healthcare and child nutrition, she acknowledged its commitment to funding nutrition programs and providing safe delivery kits.
“Journalists are the backbone of every state,” she noted. “Through your work, you can educate communities, spread awareness, and highlight success stories that inspire change. What Plateau is doing in nutrition and maternal health is commendable. These efforts remain challenging even in UNICEF’s focus states, yet Plateau is taking the lead.”
Dr. Rafique also outlined key areas requiring media attention, including birth registration, immunization, nutrition, water and sanitation, and education. She stressed the importance of immunization, particularly in eliminating zero-dose children—those who have never received any vaccine.
“A child with zero doses means the healthcare system has failed to reach them. That should not happen,” she said.
She urged journalists to engage with local government leaders, legislators, and traditional rulers to strengthen advocacy and drive policy implementation for the well-being of women and children.
Also speaking, UNICEF’s Communication and Advocacy Officer in Bauchi, Mr. Opeyemi Olagunju, emphasized the need for targeted advocacy on children’s issues. He identified birth registration as a major gap, suggesting its integration with immunization programs to ensure more children are registered at birth.
“When parents bring their children for vaccinations, they can also register their births, creating a streamlined system that benefits both healthcare and civil registration,” he said.
Olagunju encouraged journalists to move beyond press releases and engage directly with communities to report on child nutrition, school safety, and sanitation challenges. He also highlighted the importance of child-led advocacy, urging the creation of platforms where children can voice their concerns directly to policymakers.
“Media advocacy has real impact. A report on the lack of ambulances for pregnant women in Taraba led to swift government action,” he noted.
The interactive session, organized by the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, aimed to foster stronger collaboration between the media and UNICEF in promoting children’s rights and social development.
