By Yinka Latona
CITIZENS COMPASS–The Association of Practitioners of Community Media (APCOM) has collaborated with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board and Nigeria Health Watch against health misinformation across various communities in the State.
The interactive session to launch the initiative took place on Tuesday, in Anthony area of the State.
While welcoming participants to the interactive session, APCOM National President, Mr. Abayomi Adejumo, said the initiative marked the beginning of a concerted effort to discourage health misinformation, promote accurate health information and dispel harmful misconceptions.
He said the groups were committed to empowering communities with reliable health knowledge, fostering a culture of informed decision-making, and ultimately improving health challenges.
According to him, the partnership aims to develop and disseminate accurate health information, counter health misinformation and myths, and promote health literacy.
Others are to support community-led health initiatives and strengthening the capacity of community media practitioners to report health issues accurately.
In his address, Mr. Abara Etim, Program Manager, Nigeria Health Watch, emphasised the importance of community media practitioners in disseminating health information to community dwellers. “We cannot achieve this alone, but with a smooth collaboration with community media practitioners, we can create an impact.”
Mrs. Temidayo Adewuyi, Public Health Officer from the Lagos State Ministry of Health, representing the Primary Health Care Board, praised the initiative. “This is a laudable initiative that we would like to key into. We have executed various health programs in the past, and health advocacy is one of our top priorities.”
Mr. Oloyede Kolawole, Acting Public Relations Officer of APCOM, thanked the representatives of Nigeria Health Watch and the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board for creating an opportunity for deliberation.
He urged them to continue communicating with community media practitioners, emphasising APCOM’s readiness to partner with them.
