Journalists Charge To Speak Up On The Challenges Facing Nigeria......As NAWOJ Seeks To Partner Ministry Of Health

 Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Professor Princewill Chike has charged journalists to speak up against societal ills as  the forth estate of the realm. 

Professor Chike gave the charge on Thursday, April 8, 2021, during a courtesy visit by members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Rivers State Chapter, at the State Ministry of Health, Port Harcourt.

The  commissioner, who received NAWOJ, decried the poor state of Nigeria harsh economic and insecurity  experienced in all the states of the federation, urging     members of the fourth estate  to go all out to reports issues negatively affecting humanity in the nation as well to  commend good works done by their leaders.

He expressed disappointment that  the chemist , laboratory scientists, pharmacy have hijacked the work of professional doctors by converting there stores to hospitals at the same time, carrying out tests and  prescribing drugs to patients which was meant to be done by the professional doctors.

According to him, Medical facilities in the country are in bad state and nobody is talking about it, rather those at the helm of affairs are travelling abroad to receive medical care when these facilities can be equipped for proper health care delivery for all Nigerians. 

The Hon commissioner lauded  the efforts of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike in the health sector, noting that it was part of the reasons why resident doctors are not on strike in the State.

He  enjoined members of NAWOJ to promote all the projects that the state government have embarked on since 2015 till date, while expressing readiness of the State Ministry of Health  to partner NAWOJ for proper dissemination of information on health issues to the benefits of the society.

Speaking earlier,  Chairperson NAWOJ, Rivers State Chapter, Mrs Susan Serekara-Nwikhana stated that the new Executive members of the association are here for a familarization visit and also to  partner  the Ministry  on issues affecting women and the girl child in the society.

The Chairperson, who was represented by the Vice Chairperson, Daba Benebo appealed to  the commissioner to involve and train  Nawogians in the health programmes of the ministry.

Responding to the issue of  journalists being silent on issues of societal ills, she stated that journalists do speak out on the ills of society, adding that most times, stakeholders and personalities are being invited to media houses for interviews on vital issues affecting humanity, the state and nation at large.  

According to her, "most of the drugs peddle on the streets and stores are all drugs satified by NAFDAC and ministry of health, noting that the agencies of government in charge with prosecuting drugs sellers on the streets are not doing enough to arrest the situation.