Health journalists in Kano State have inaugurated a unified platform known as the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON) to strengthen advocacy and improve reporting on Gender-Responsive Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) as well as Primary Health Care (PHC) interventions in the state.
The network was formally launched on Saturday during a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) under the EngenderHealth-led Consortium at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano.
In her welcome address, the Executive Director of ISMPH, Madam Moji Makanjuola, MFR, commended health journalists in the state for their sustained efforts in public health reporting and advocacy. She was represented by ISMPH Programme Director, Mr. Solomon Dogo, who congratulated the newly elected executives and described the initiative as a strategic step toward consolidating fragmented health journalism platforms.
He explained that the goal of the initiative is to bring existing health reporting groups under one coordinated structure to improve coverage of key health issues such as polio eradication, nutrition, maternal health, and other public health priorities.
According to him, consultations were held with development partners and government representatives before the network was established, with stakeholders agreeing that a unified platform would enhance efficiency and coordination.
Dogo added that similar health journalism networks have already been established in Lagos and Kaduna States, noting that the model would make it easier for partners and government agencies to engage journalists collectively on health interventions and advocacy programmes.
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Also speaking, ISMPH Programme Officer in Kano State, Sabuwa Yahaya, said the network would improve coordination among journalists, enhance access to health data, and strengthen advocacy efforts targeting both government and communities. She noted that a unified structure would make health reporting more effective and impactful.
At the end of the exercise, Khadija Aliyu emerged as Chairperson of KAHJON, while Mustapha Hodi Adamu was elected Vice Chairperson. Abdullahi Alhassan was elected Secretary, and Mustapha Salisu became Public Relations Officer.
The event featured goodwill messages from development partners including IBP, LISDEL, CCSI, SANDHEF, and CHAI.
Also Public Relations Officers (PROs) from the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Drug Management and Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA), and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) were in attendance
A key highlight of the engagement was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), officially marking the commencement of activities for the newly established network.
