Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim, Kano
Kano State’s preparedness and response to health emergencies have received a major boost as key stakeholders convened in Zaria, Kaduna State, for a three-day Workshop on Outbreak Communication Plan.
The training, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Lafiya Programme, aims to enhance collaboration among health communicators, media professionals, and government agencies to ensure timely and accurate information sharing during disease outbreaks.
Participants drawn from the health and media sectors are expected to develop a harmonized framework for outbreak communication that emphasizes coordination, transparency, and public engagement.
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Declaring the workshop open, the Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, described the initiative as a significant milestone in improving risk communication structures at both state and national levels.
According to him, lessons from past outbreaks, including COVID-19 and cholera, have shown that misinformation can spread faster than the disease itself, fueling fear, confusion, and mistrust. He stressed that effective communication is as critical as the medical response in managing health crises.
“This workshop is about building a united front—where health officials, journalists, and communication experts speak with one voice, guided by facts and science,” Prof. Abbas stated.
He commended the FCDO-Lafiya Programme for its continued partnership in strengthening Nigeria’s public health system through capacity building and institutional support.
Over the three-day session, participants will engage in intensive modules covering crisis communication, rumor management, stakeholder coordination, and media strategy development. The workshop is expected to produce a robust communication plan adaptable for future health emergencies across states.
The event continues through the week, featuring panel discussions, group exercises, and scenario-based simulations designed to translate knowledge into practical, real-world response mechanisms.