Kano State health journalists have launched a new body, the Kano Health Journalists Network KAHJON, a unified network to strengthen reporting and advocacy on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, RMNCAH, and Primary Health Care, PHC.
The network was inaugurated during an Alignment, Coordination, Monitoring and Implementation meeting of media coalitions on gender-responsive RMNCAH and PHC, organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in Kano.
During the meeting, the journalists had unanimously elected Ms Khadijah Aliyu as Chairperson of KAHJON.
Other executives are Mustapha Hodi Adamu of Peoples Daily newspaper,.who emerged as Vice Chairperson, Abdullahi Alhassan as the Secretary and Mustapha Salisu as Public Relations Officer, all through concensus.
Speaking at the event, ISMPH’s Programme Director, Mr Solomon Dogo, said the new network will unify existing health reporting groups to improve media coverage of public health issues such as polio eradication, nutrition and maternal health.
He congratulated the executives, saying the network will foster collaboration among media practitioners and boost health advocacy in the state.
He noted that similar networks are already active in Lagos and Kaduna, with development partners committed to supporting health advocacy.
ISMPH Programme Officer in Kano, Ms Sabuwa Yahaya, said the platform will improve coordination, access to health information and strengthen reporting, pushing for more effective advocacy with government and communities.
The inauguration featured goodwill messages from development partners including IBP, LISDEL, CCSI, SANDHEF and CHAI, as well as representatives of the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Drug Management and Consumables Supply Agency and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency.
A major highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formally launch the Kano Health Journalists Network.
