UNICEF, FMOH Urge Journalists to Lead Awareness Drive Against NTDs

Hauwa Abubakar

From Paul Orude Bauchi

Lack of awareness remains one of the biggest reasons why communities across Nigeria continue to suffer from Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

This was disclosed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Chief of Field Office in Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, while speaking at an engagement with journalists and media practitioners in Bauchi, on Thursday.

The media dialogue was organised by UNICEF Bauch Field office, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board.

In a welcome remark, Rafique emphasised that the media plays a critical role in breaking the cycle of infection through timely, accurate, and sustained reporting.

She noted that although progress has been made in states like Gombe and Bauchi, many infections persist because people are unaware of how NTDs spread or how they can protect themselves.

According to her, poverty, poor sanitation, unclean environments, and unsafe water create the perfect conditions for NTDs to thrive.

The UNICEF Chief stated that awareness and behavioral change driven by strong media advocacy can transform communities and significantly reduce the burden of NTDs.

“The media is a powerful ally in this fight. You are the eyes, ears, and voice of society,” Rafique told the participants.

“You can shape how people think, how they behave, and how they respond to public health risks. Behavior change is not easy, but the media has the strength and influence to inspire it.”

She urged journalists to intensify sensitisation efforts, especially around the importance of clean environments, safe water, proper sanitation, and early health-seeking behavior.

She highlighted the dangers of relying on polluted rivers for drinking water, noting that many NTDs, including river blindness, are linked to such unsafe practices.

Rafique stressed that both Gombe and Bauchi States have reached a critical stage where the transmission of some NTDs is now easier to prevent, even without constant drug administration.

However, she warned that this progress can only be sustained through continuous awareness creation, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions, and community engagement.

“Communities look up to you for information. When you raise awareness, you help save lives,” she said.

“Please take what you have learned from today’s meeting and take it back to the people. Help them understand how simple changes, including clean water, good sanitation, stopping open defecation, can protect them from disease.”

 “Rather than waiting for people to fall sick, let us create safe environments that stop these diseases from spreading in the first place.

 “Spread the message. Educate your communities. Help them take charge of their health. Awareness is the first step to breaking the vicious circle of poverty, disease, and more poverty.”

In her remarks, the North-East Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Hauwa Abubakar, explained that (NTDs) are closely linked to poverty, as they predominantly affect rural populations who often lack access to basic amenities and healthcare services.

Abubakar noted that although NTDs are curable, they remain significant public health challenges that require consistent, focused attention to prevent them from becoming widespread threats.

She emphasised that the media has a critical role to play in mobilising households and educating communities on the steps they need to take to prevent NTDs.

She called on journalists to intensify awareness campaigns that promote healthy practices and help communities understand how to protect themselves from these diseases.