By: Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
The Health for All Media Initiative (HAMI) has raised concerns over growing misinformation and declining public trust in Nigeria’s healthcare system, warning that both pose serious threats to national health outcomes.
In a statement marking World Health Day 2026, HAMI said Nigeria’s healthcare challenges go beyond infrastructure and funding, stressing that weak public confidence and poor health communication are undermining progress in critical areas such as vaccination, maternal health, and disease prevention.
Aligning with the global theme, “Together for health. Stand with science,” set by the United Nations, the group called for urgent, coordinated efforts to rebuild trust through transparent, science-based communication.
HAMI noted that in Nigeria, misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation have continued to distort public understanding of health interventions, often leading to resistance against proven medical solutions.
The organisation urged governments at all levels to prioritise effective health communication strategies, invest in community engagement, and empower citizens with accurate, accessible information.
It also called for stronger collaboration between policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the media to ensure that science-based evidence drives public discourse and decision-making.
While acknowledging ongoing structural challenges such as inadequate facilities and workforce shortages, HAMI stressed that rebuilding trust is a critical foundation for achieving universal health coverage.
“Without public confidence in health systems and the science that underpins them, even the best policies and investments may fail to deliver results,” the statement noted.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accountability, amplifying credible health information, and supporting initiatives that strengthen public trust in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The statement was signed by Sola Ojo, Secretary of HAMI.
HAMI is a group of professional journalists from the conventional and new media, pushing for improved health care delivery across Nigeria.(News Web Express)
