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Nigeria’s journey toward a stronger, more inclusive health system entered a decisive phase this week as key government officials, governors, media professionals, and global development partners gathered in Abuja to chart a renewed path for transforming Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery across the nation.

At the High-Level Health Media Dialogue themed “Strengthening Primary Healthcare: A Collaborative Approach to Reducing Maternal Mortality and Enhancing Child Health in Nigeria,” stakeholders reaffirmed that genuine health reform requires more than infrastructure or budgetary commitment — it demands communication, collaboration, and accountability.

The landmark event was convened by the International Society for Media in Public Health (ISMPH) under the Advocacy Solution Project, implemented by EngenderHealth with funding support from international development partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The dialogue brought together high-level participants from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, state governments, and media organizations, creating a platform where policy meets public engagement.

Bridging Health Policy and Public Awareness

In her welcome address, Dr. (Mrs.) Moji Makanjuola, MFR, Executive Director of ISMPH and veteran broadcaster, described the forum as “a strategic convergence designed to connect communication, policy, and accountability toward improving the nation’s health outcomes.”

She emphasized that while Nigeria has made progress in health policy reforms, significant challenges persist in maternal and child health outcomes.

According to Makanjuola, data from the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) paints a troubling picture: Nigeria records one of the highest maternal mortality ratios globally — 512 deaths per 100,000 live births — and an under-five mortality rate of 102 deaths per 1,000 live births.

“These figures translate into an estimated 82,000 women dying annually from preventable pregnancy-related causes,” she said. “One in every ten Nigerian children still dies before their fifth birthday. These are not just numbers — they represent families, communities, and futures lost.”

Makanjuola urged for collective responsibility across all sectors to reverse the trend, stressing that the media remains pivotal in ensuring that health reforms are sustained through consistent, evidence-based advocacy.

“When journalists investigate the state of PHC centres, track health budgets, or highlight gaps in immunization coverage, they become part of the solution,” she said. “Every story that informs, educates, and empowers the public contributes directly to saving lives.”

Health Minister Calls for Constructive Accountability

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, commended ISMPH and EngenderHealth for providing a platform that bridges government and public communication. He reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to reposition the health sector through transparency and citizen participation.

“The Federal Government has made significant investments in Primary Health Care financing, but money alone is not enough,” Pate stated. “We need responsible oversight and collaboration to ensure that every naira allocated to health reaches the people it is meant to serve.”

He called on journalists to practice what he described as “constructive accountability,” noting that the media has the power to shape public perception and mobilize communities toward positive change.

“The media can help shape a narrative of possibility and renewal, not just lamentation,” he said. “Constructive journalism can inspire both leaders and citizens to act in rebuilding our health system.”

States Showcase Transformative PHC Reforms

State governments also took centre stage during the dialogue, with Kaduna, Lagos, and Kano highlighting innovative strategies that demonstrate the power of political will in health reform.

Speaking on Kaduna’s progress, Governor Uba Sani outlined his administration’s commitment to strengthening community health services through recruitment, infrastructure development, and financing innovation.

“In Kaduna, we have recruited 1,800 new health workers, increased salaries for retention, and consistently allocated 15% of our state budget to health,” he revealed. “Sustainability depends on transparency and accountability — and the media plays a key role in ensuring this.”

In Kano State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was commended for achieving a 91% health budget performance in 2024, one of the highest in the country. Health experts at the event urged the state to channel more of its health budget — at least 15% — into PHC to deepen community-level impact.

Lagos State, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was also recognized for its ongoing investment in PHC infrastructure and the establishment of six district health offices to strengthen service delivery. The state’s Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has expanded insurance coverage for residents, but stakeholders urged further alignment with the 15% Abuja Declaration and the establishment of a Drug and Medical Supplies Management Agency for efficiency.

“These three states represent models of reform,” Makanjuola said. “They prove that with evidence-based advocacy and political will, transformation is possible.”

Development Partners Advocate Media Empowerment

Representing the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Uche Amaonwu, Country Director for Nigeria, underscored the media’s role as a “watchdog and accountability partner” in ensuring effective health governance.

“When journalists track budgets, uncover gaps in service delivery, or document the struggles of frontline workers, they bring visibility to issues that drive policy reform,” he said. “Public awareness, born from credible journalism, compels leadership to act.”

Amaonwu called for sustained investment in data literacy and training for health reporters, adding that equipping the media with access to credible data and analytical tools will strengthen oversight and transparency.

“Our collective goal should be to empower journalists to tell the human stories behind the statistics and hold all stakeholders accountable,” he said.

Advocacy Solution Project: Turning Policy into Impact

The Advocacy Solution Project, implemented across Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna States, was spotlighted as a practical example of how collaboration can translate policy into measurable impact. Through its data-driven advocacy model, the project has strengthened health sector accountability, improved service quality, and enhanced maternal and child health interventions.

“The success we’re seeing from this project is a testament to what partnership can achieve,” said Dr. Kabir Atta, Project Director of the Advocacy Solution Project and Country Director of EngenderHealth. “By linking advocacy with data, we ensure that commitments are not just made but fulfilled.”

Preliminary reports indicate increased immunization coverage, better supervision of PHC facilities, and greater citizen engagement in health monitoring.

A Shared Call to Action

As deliberations concluded, participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to advancing Nigeria’s health goals under the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) framework.

The forum’s communiqué emphasized that lasting improvement in health outcomes depends on consistent, transparent communication between policymakers, health workers, and the public — facilitated by a well-informed media.

In her closing remarks, Makanjuola encapsulated the spirit of the dialogue:

“This is not just a conversation; it is a movement for change. We must reimagine a Nigeria where no mother dies giving life, and no child is denied the right to survive and thrive. When the media, government, and citizens work together, health becomes not just a policy goal — but a shared national promise.”

A Turning Point for Nigeria’s Health Future

The Abuja dialogue signaled a new phase in Nigeria’s march toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). With the government reaffirming its commitment, states demonstrating results, and the media mobilized as an accountability partner, experts believe the nation is closer than ever to breaking the cycle of maternal and child deaths that have plagued it for decades.

As Nigeria looks to the future, one message resonated through the conference hall of the Transcorp Hilton: sustainable health reform is only possible when communication becomes a tool not just for information, but for transformation.

The High-Level Health Media Dialogue was organized by ISMPH under the Advocacy Solution Project, implemented by EngenderHealth with funding from development partners, as part of the national RMNCAH+N initiative to strengthen accountability, advocacy, and evidence-based communication in Nigeria’s health system.

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