HEWAN COMMENDS PRESIDENT TINUBU’S EBOLA PREPAREDNESS INITIATIVE, SEEKS INCLUSION OF HEALTH JOURNALISTS ON PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE
HEWAN COMMENDS PRESIDENT TINUBU’S EBOLA PREPAREDNESS INITIATIVE, SEEKS INCLUSION OF HEALTH JOURNALISTS ON PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE
The Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Preparedness and the approval of N10 billion emergency intervention funding aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s preparedness against any potential Ebola threat.
In a statement jointly signed by HEWAN President, Vivian Ihechu, and Secretary, Temitope Obayendo, the association described the Federal Government’s action as timely, proactive, and reassuring, especially as countries across Africa continue to strengthen surveillance and response systems against emerging infectious disease threats.
The association noted that while the establishment of the Presidential Task Force demonstrates the government’s commitment to public health security, there is a compelling need to include specialized health journalists as members of the committee.
According to the press release, effective disease outbreak management extends beyond clinical interventions and requires robust risk communication, public engagement, and strategic dissemination of accurate health information.
“Health journalists play a vital role in translating complex scientific and public health information into messages that are understandable to ordinary citizens. Their expertise is crucial in combating misinformation, reducing public anxiety, and promoting adherence to health advisories,” the statement said.
The HEWAN leadership recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014, emphasizing that health journalists worked closely with health authorities to educate the public, counter dangerous rumours, and support national response efforts through evidence-based reporting.
The release stated that the inclusion of HEWAN representatives in the Presidential Task Force would strengthen public communication efforts, improve public trust, and ensure that critical health information reaches communities promptly and effectively.
They further noted that in an era where misinformation spreads rapidly through digital platforms, health journalists have become indispensable partners in public health emergency preparedness and response.
The association expressed confidence that integrating communication professionals into the national preparedness framework would complement the government’s medical and public health interventions, ensuring a more coordinated and comprehensive response strategy.
HEWAN also pledged to deploy its nationwide network of health journalists in support of the Federal Government’s preparedness efforts and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accurate, evidence-based health reporting in the interest of national health security.
The association concluded by expressing confidence that through collective action, effective communication, and sustained preparedness measures, Nigeria can successfully prevent and respond to any potential Ebola outbreak.