The Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal, Child and Newborn (BaSAM MNCH) has solicited media support to raise public awareness on health issues.
BaSAM is a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and media professionals advocating for releases of funds allocated to the health sector in the state.
The Chairman, Advocacy and Knowledge Management Committee of the organisation, Mr Ladan Isa, made the appeal when led executive members of BaSam on a visit to Bauchi Zonal Office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.
Isa said that the lives of mothers and children in the state needed to be saved through adequate funding of the health sector.
According to him, the State Government had allocated 16 per cent of its 2018 budget to health sector, but unfortunately prompt releases of the fund allocated has been a major concern.
“We are soliciting for the support of NAN to educate the general public on health issues and challenges especially health facilities,” he said.
Responding, the Acting Zonal Manager, Mr Huseyn Mbar, said that the agency has a dedicated desk at its headquarters to promote and support health, population and gender issues.
He said that with the recent development of new ailments and modern technologies the need for credible reportage cannot be overemphasised.
He said the agency has been in the forefront of reporting issues affecting the public health and pledged to collaborate with BaSAM. (NAN)
