By Bashir Hassan
For their sustained efforts at creating awareness on the need for uptake of Immunization and other public health concerns, the Executive Chairman (EC) of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board (BSPHCDB) Dr. Rilwanu Muhammad has extended the board’s appreciation to a North East Based Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD).
Dr. Muhammad said that the style of reporting public health concerns and other development issues deployed by the CSO through evidence based reportage over the years have endeared J4PD to both State and non State actors in Bauchi State and the North East Region.
Dr Muhammad gave the commendation on Wednesday 5th February, 2025 when management of J4PD paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
According to him, J4PD has continued to set the agenda through their reports which enables Government to make informed decisions aimed at improving healthcare outcomes in Bauchi State.
He said that being a media based organisation, J4PD has equally served as a platform for feedback channels from communities with regards to activities and programs of Government.
The EC expressed his delight at the choice of J4PD’S areas of competence that are centered around Public Health, Education, WASH, Environment and Gender and Social Inclusion among other areas of their interventions, describing the themethic areas as intertwined.
He stressed that media reports on one of their themethic areas of competence will have a ripple effects on the all the others.
Dr. Muhammad thanked them for the visit which according to him, has further strengthened the existing partnership between the Board and J4PD.
Earlier in her remarks, Executive Director of J4PD, Elizabeth Kah commended the Agency for its consistent drive aimed at improving healthcare outcomes in Bauchi State despite challenges associated with achieving such goals.
She explained that the health thematic component of J4PD is focused on preventive measures, thus reducing the high costs of treatment amidst the current economic situation within communities.
While pledging a more strengthened collaboration between J4PD and the BSPHCDB in creating demand for healthcare services within communities through its engagement with the public, the ED emphasised the need for training of Journalists on emerging issues around public health to further equip them report effectively inline with global best practices.