Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, champions responsible health reporting to combat misinformation and emphasizes that health is free from politics.
Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, emphasized that responsible health reporting is not only essential to saving lives but also crucial in curbing the spread of misinformation and disinformation. Delivering a compelling lecture to first-year students of Rivers State University, at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies during a session on Health Communication: Bridging Policy, Public Engagement and Crisis Response, Dr. Oreh outlined the importance of integrity and thorough investigation in health communication.
Championing Responsible Health Reporting
Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, a leading figure in health advocacy, stressed that quality health reporting plays a key role in ensuring the public receives accurate information on matters that affect their well-being. “Our responsibility is towards upholding quality health and well-being of our people, no politics involved,” she declared, underscoring the notion that health matters transcend political agendas.
During her address, the Commissioner called on students with a passion for health communication to conduct diligent research and investigations. She highlighted that by employing meticulous and timely methods, budding journalists and communicators can significantly improve public health outcomes. The session also focused on practical communication strategies including identifying key issues, verifying sources, and understanding the stakeholders involved in any health-related case.
Dr. Oreh further noted that bridging the communication gap is achievable through active engagement with community stakeholders. Her insights serve as a reminder that effective health communication is a collective responsibility—a sentiment echoed by many health professionals committed to public well-being in Rivers State.
The lecture was met with enthusiastic support from the university’s leadership. Professor Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, lauded the event, stating that robust health communication is vital to prevent the dissemination of misleading information. He encouraged students to embrace positive and accurate communication practices, calling it a challenge that holds the promise of substantial societal benefits.
Dr. Sarah Chidiebere Joe, Convener and lecturer at the Department of Development Communication, added that health communication extends beyond academic study—it is a critical public health intervention that drives policy implementation and behavioral change. “This event is a deliberate effort aimed at allowing students to engage directly with distinguished professionals who apply health communication strategies in their daily work,” she remarked.
As the discourse on health communication continues to evolve in Rivers State, the insights shared by the River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oreh and her colleagues highlight the enduring impact of accurate, responsible reporting. With a focus on eliminating politics from health matters, stakeholders across the state are encouraged to foster an environment where informed, evidence-based communication serves as the cornerstone of public health and safety.
