By Muhammad Amaan
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on the Federal Government to expedite healthcare reforms to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets.
WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo made this appeal in Abuja at the closing of a two-day training initiative for health journalists.
The training, themed ‘Empowering Journalists to Drive the Change Narrative with Compelling Data-Driven Health Stories,’ aimed to equip journalists with the skills to drive change through compelling storytelling.
Dr Mulombo noted that only 17 per cent of SDG healthcare targets were on track, emphasising the need for swift action to achieve these goals.
He stressed the importance of shifting from pilot projects to delivering large-scale, quality healthcare solutions and fostering collaboration between the government and citizens.
Mulombo also highlighted Nigeria’s ranking of 187th out of 191 countries in healthcare performance as unacceptable.
“Inadequate funding, poorly trained healthcare personnel, and high service costs were cited as obstacles hindering healthcare objectives.”
Mulombo urged journalists to collaborate with healthcare experts to ensure accurate information reached the public.
“Journalists play a critical role in driving change by providing accurate, evidence-based health information, particularly in remote areas.
“Responsible reporting can shape national and international perspectives on the country’s progress.”
As the media plays a vital role in promoting the SDGs, Mulombo emphasised the importance of truthful and reliable information.
