The Enugu State Government has urged media practitioners to deepen awareness of its free and inclusive healthcare programmes, particularly free malaria testing and treatment and the subsidised health insurance scheme across communities statewide.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, made the call on Wednesday during the Malaria Elimination Programme, Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilisation (ACSM) Quarterly Media Chat held in Enugu State.
Ugwu, represented by Dr Ifeyinwa Ugwunweze, Health Secretary of Enugu East Local Government Area, said free malaria testing and treatment, alongside the subsidised annual N12,000 health insurance scheme, were available statewide.
He said the programmes were being implemented in all government-owned health facilities, including Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), general hospitals and teaching hospitals, as well as selected private healthcare facilities statewide.
“As a state, we are grateful for the wonderful work the media is doing in constantly projecting health initiatives, programmes and projects.
“However, there is an urgency to do more, especially targeting well-tailored message to rural areas to take advantage of health programmes, initiatives and interventions.
“Our free malaria testing and treatment as well as the subsidised health insurance scheme is important to our health-loving governor, His Excellency Dr Peter Mbah, as flagship programmes he initiated.”
The commissioner said the programmes were designed to reduce the socioeconomic burden of healthcare on individuals and families while improving access to quality medical services across the state.
Earlier, the Programme Manager of the State Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr Ifeoma Otiji, commended development partners, including the Islamic Development Bank and JHPIEGO, for supporting malaria elimination efforts statewide.
Otiji also appreciated the media for ensuring that awareness campaigns on free malaria testing and treatment in health facilities continued to gain traction among residents across communities statewide.
“With the strong media support we are getting, Enugu State Malaria Elimination Programme is visible and actions on the programme are being felt by individuals, families, neighborhoods and communities.
“We currently have active free malaria testing and treatment in 527 health facilities across the state, especially in rural and remote areas.
“We have reduced malaria prevalence from 24 per cent to 9.9 per cent some months ago and we are still working hard to ensure it goes below five per cent.
“Not long after, we hope to achieve total elimination, which remains our ultimate target,” Otiji added, expressing optimism that ongoing interventions would sustain progress against malaria across the state.
Speaking, media expert Mr Gregory Odiakosa urged journalists to sustain communication support for healthcare promotion and public well-being, describing such efforts as a valuable contribution to societal development.
Odiakosa, Manager of Lion Paws Media Ltd, also called on government and development partners to provide financial support to media organisations to strengthen health communication and education activities.
Highlights of the event included an overview of the malaria elimination programme in Enugu State and a lecture titled “Power of Media in Public Relations” delivered by Mr Josh Ejeh.
