The International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) Executive Director, Dr Moji Makanjuola, has urged media practitioners to embrace evidence-based reporting as a tool for strengthening accountability in Nigeria’s primary healthcare sector and improving health outcomes for citizens.

Dr. Makanjuola, who made this known at a two-day media engagement workshop for selected journalists in Kano, noted that effective healthcare governance depends not only on the availability of credible data but also on journalists who can analyse, interpret and communicate health information in ways that enable citizens to make informed decisions and demand accountability from public institutions.

The workshop was organised by the Kano State Ministry of Health in collaboration with ISMPH, the EngenderHealth Consortium Partnership and the Unified Health Media Network.

Represented by the ISMPH Programme Manager, Mr Philip Muoneke, Dr Makanjuola described the media as a critical partner in promoting transparency and accountability within the health sector, stressing that journalists have responsibilities that extend beyond reporting events.

She said by asking critical questions, verifying facts and producing accurate, evidence-based reports, journalists can shape public opinion, amplify citizens’ voices and strengthen trust between government institutions and the public.

Dr. Makanjuola explained that the training was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of Primary Health Care Accountability Scorecards, Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) findings, Primary Health Care Facility Assessment Tool (PHC-FAT) reports, healthcare financing and budget accountability.

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She noted that the workshop would equip journalists with practical skills to transform technical health data into balanced, compelling and solution-oriented reports capable of promoting transparency and improving service delivery across the primary healthcare system.

The ISMPH Executive Director reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to collaborating with government agencies, media organisations, civil society groups and development partners to strengthen health journalism and institutional accountability in Nigeria.

Also speaking, Chairperson of the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON), Comrade Hauwa Zahradeen, who was represented by the network’s Vice Chairman, Comrade Mustapha Adamu, described the training as timely and highly relevant.

She pledged the network’s continued support for ethical and evidence-based health reporting that promotes accountability, public awareness and improved healthcare services.

Similarly, the Advocacy Coordinator of the Centre for Communication and Social Impact, Atiku Muhammed Yola, alongside representatives of EngenderHealth, the Leadership Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL), the Community of Practice for Citizen-Centred Service Initiative (CCSI) and other partner organisations, stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the media and health stakeholders to enhance accountability in the primary healthcare sector.

The workshop, themed “Amplifying and Framing Narratives on Primary Health Care (PHC) Accountability Scorecards Using Evidence-Based Insights from Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) and PHC Facility Assessment Tool (PHC-FAT) Findings,” brought together journalists from across Kano State.

Participants received training on interpreting health sector data and producing impactful, evidence-driven reports aimed at promoting transparency, strengthening accountability and improving the delivery of primary healthcare services across Kano State.