By Uzairu Dauda:
The Bauchi State Government, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the FHI 360 EPIC Project, has commenced a two-day meeting to inaugurate the State Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management (RCCE-IM) Technical Working Group.
The inauguration, which began on the first day of the meeting at Hazibal Hotel in Bauchi, is aimed at strengthening the state’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond effectively to disease outbreaks through coordinated risk communication, community engagement and the management of misinformation.
Speaking during the opening session, the Head of the National RCCE Technical Working Group at the NCDC, Hajiya Hannatu Bello, urged members of the committee to work diligently in supporting Bauchi State’s efforts to tackle communicable diseases and effectively manage infodemics.
She explained that the NCDC’s mandate is to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats, stressing that the agency cannot achieve this responsibility without the active collaboration of government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders.
Hajiya Bello also emphasized the importance of the One Health approach, noting that disease outbreaks are often linked to the interactions among humans, animals and the environment.
She said the initiative is designed to dispel the misconception that responding to public health emergencies is solely the responsibility of the health sector.
In his remarks, the Bauchi State Health Education and Promotion Officer, Alhaji Mohammed Ribadu Jibrin, said the Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management Committee has existed in the state for several years, but the inclusion of new members will strengthen its effectiveness in responding to communicable diseases.
According to him, Bauchi State already has an advocacy and community engagement working group, supported by the state government and development partners, comprising representatives of government ministries, civil society organizations, the media, traditional and religious institutions, added that the structure extends to all local government areas of the state.
He described the State Technical Working Group as a reflection of the National Technical Working Group, serving as the closest platform to communities for coordinating responses to disease outbreaks at all levels.
Also speaking, the Associate Director of RCCE at the FHI 360 EPIC Project, funded by United States of America Dr. Auwalu Kawu, said the project’s support for Bauchi State is aimed at promoting the One Health agenda and achieving improved public health outcomes across the country.
He noted that the committee brings together experts from the health, education, agriculture, livestock, environment, information, security and disaster management sectors to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated response to disease outbreaks.
The UNICEF Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Health Consultant, Ms. Chorio Alheri Philip, encouraged members to contribute their knowledge and expertise, stressing that no individual has a monopoly of knowledge.
She called for collective action in developing effective responses to public health challenges in the state.
In his goodwill message, the representative of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Bala Ibrahim Sani Lifidin Bauchi, commended the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board (BSPHCB) and the NCDC for their efforts in combating communicable diseases.
He assured the committee of JNI’s commitment to supporting its activities and initiatives.
Similarly, the Health Promotion and Community Engagement Supervisor of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Mrs. Retmun James Longurun, congratulated members of the committee and urged them to remain committed to advancing disease prevention and control in Bauchi State.
The Chairperson of the WOWICAN, Bauchi State Chapter, Mrs. Gladys Mbami, called on members to remain focused on achieving the objectives of the technical working group.
Also speaking, the One Health Focal Person at the Bauchi State Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Baba Abdulkadir Umar, described the committee as a timely initiative and urged members to leverage their collective expertise in strengthening the One Health system in the state.
The representative of the Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Adamu Yola, advised the committee to integrate climate-related issues into its public health strategies, noting that climate change continues to influence disease patterns and public health outcomes.
Representing the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP), Alhaji Iliya Shuaibu highlighted the critical role of the agriculture sector, particularly extension workers, in disease prevention and community sensitization, pledged the ministry’s full support to the committee.
The Deputy Director of School Services in the Bauchi State Ministry of Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdu, described the inauguration as timely and reaffirmed the ministry’s readiness to support health promotion activities across schools in the state.
Also delivering a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Bauchi State Chapter, Malam Haruna Sa’idu Pali appreciated the organizers for ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the initiative.
He pledged to disseminate the knowledge acquired through the committee to members across the state.
The two-day meeting is expected to strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration, improve risk communication and community engagement, and enhance Bauchi State’s preparedness and response to communicable diseases and other public health emergencies through the One Health approach.
