NUJ, UMTH to collaborate on health journalism training
By Ahmed Ahmed
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Borno State Council, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) have agreed to strengthen collaboration on capacity building for health reporters.
The agreement followed a courtesy visit by the NUJ delegation, led by its Chairman, Malam Abdulkareem Haruna, to the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Faruk Buba, on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
Haruna said the union was committed to promoting accurate and responsible health reporting through specialised training, seminars and clinical facility orientations for journalists.
He commended UMTH for its contributions to healthcare delivery during nearly two decades of insurgency in Borno, noting that the hospital remained operational while treating casualties and providing trauma care under difficult conditions.
The NUJ chairman also sought the CMD’s approval for the establishment of an NUJ chapel within the hospital to strengthen professional development and ethical standards among information officers.
Responding, Buba thanked the delegation for the visit and described UMTH as the largest tertiary medical facility in West Africa, with at least 12 specialised medical centres.
He reaffirmed the hospital management’s commitment to maintaining its reputation and strengthening professional relations with the media.
The CMD directed the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), and the Director of Administration to explore opportunities for specialised training for health reporters.
Buba said he was impressed by the professionalism of BBC health reporters, particularly their command of medical terminology, and expressed the desire to develop similar expertise among Nigerian journalists.
He approved the proposal to establish the NUJ UMTH Chapel, directing the relevant unit to submit the necessary documentation for official approval.
The CMD urged journalists to uphold ethical standards in disseminating information, particularly on public health matters, to ensure accuracy and protect public interest.
He assured the union of the hospital’s readiness to support initiatives that would improve health communication and public awareness.
