By Uzairu Dauda:
Health behaviour change remains one of the greatest public health challenges in Nigeria, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Rilwanu Muhammad, has said.
Dr. Muhammad made the remark during the inauguration of the Bauchi State chapter of the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) and Infodemic Management Technical Working Group (TWG).
He said the newly inaugurated Technical Working Group would play a critical role in ensuring that residents of Bauchi State receive timely, accurate and reliable health information before, during and after disease outbreaks.
The Executive Chairman commended the media, traditional rulers and religious leaders for their support in the fight against cholera in the state, describing their contributions as instrumental in improving public health outcomes.
According to him, effective risk communication is essential for achieving positive behaviour change, stressing that the One Health approach provides a sustainable strategy for preventing and controlling infectious diseases in Nigeria.
He urged members of the Technical Working Group to remain sensitive to people’s religious and cultural beliefs while promoting healthy behaviours. He also encouraged them to advocate for improved environmental sanitation and hygiene practices as key measures for preventing disease outbreaks.
Dr. Muhammad noted that the FHI 360 EPIC Project is expected to end in December 2026 and appealed to the United States Government to consider extending the programme in Nigeria to further strengthen the country’s Global Health Security agenda.
He expressed concern over the prevalence of diseases such as Lassa fever, diphtheria, measles, and hepatitis B and C in Bauchi State.
He charged members of the Technical Working Group to intensify public enlightenment campaigns on disease prevention and healthy living to reduce the risk of future outbreaks.
Earlier, the Head of the National RCCE Technical Working Group, Hajiya Talatu Bello, called on the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board to provide the necessary support to ensure the successful implementation of the group’s activities in the state.
Presenting the RCCE and Infodemic Management Technical Working Group Governance Framework for Bauchi State, the State Health Educator, Alhaji Mohammed Ribado Jibrin, explained that the group’s responsibilities include reviewing its terms of reference, identifying gaps in previous interventions, assessing lessons learned from past emergency responses, and ensuring that all activities align with national policies and guidelines.
He said the Technical Working Group comprises a chairman, co-chairman, representatives of communities, the media, government agencies, development partners and civil society organisations (CSOs).
According to him, the committee will hold regular meetings and coordinate activities aimed at achieving the objectives of the One Health initiative through effective risk communication and community engagement.
The inauguration of the Bauchi State chapter of the RCCE and Infodemic Management Technical Working Group was formally performed by the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Rilwanu Muhammad.
