In a groundbreaking effort to combat health misinformation, the Association of Practitioners of Community Media (APCOM) has partnered with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board and Nigeria Health Watch. This collaborative initiative aims to empower communities with accurate health information, dispel harmful myths, and promote health literacy.
The launch of this joint initiative was announced during an interactive session held in Lagos on Tuesday, August 27th, 2024. APCOM’s National President, Mr. Abayomi Adejumo, led the session, which marked the beginning of a concerted effort to address the pressing issue of health misinformation within communities.
Through this partnership, APCOM, Nigeria Health Watch, and the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board are committed to developing and disseminating accurate health information, countering misinformation and myths, promoting health literacy, supporting community-led health initiatives, and strengthening the capacity of community media practitioners to report on health issues accurately.
Mr. Abara Etim, Program Manager of Nigeria Health Watch, emphasized the crucial role 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 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, emphasizing APCOM’s readiness to partner with them.
This landmark initiative has the potential to transform the way health information is disseminated and consumed within communities, ultimately improving health outcomes.
