Preventable deaths of U-5 children on increase despite progress in healthcare — ATBU VC

It has been lamented that, despite significant progress in recent years, preventable deaths among children under the age of five continue to claim far too many young lives.

The lamentation was expressed by the Vice-Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Prof Ibrahim Hassan Garba, at the opening of a training workshop organised for journalists by the Bauchi site of the Child Mortality and Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS).

According to him, “Child mortality remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in Nigeria and across many parts of the world.”

He disclosed that the CHAMPS initiative is dedicated to understanding the causes of these deaths through rigorous surveillance and data collection, with the ultimate goal of informing effective interventions and policies.

He stated, “It is a great privilege to stand before you today as we embark on this collaborative journey to enhance our collective efforts in reducing child mortality through informed and impactful journalism.”

According to him, “The importance of this workshop cannot be overemphasised because journalists play a crucial role in this mission. Your ability to communicate complex health information to the public, raise awareness, and hold stakeholders accountable is invaluable.”

He added, “This workshop is designed to equip you with the knowledge, tools, and ethical frameworks needed to report accurately and sensitively on child mortality and prevention efforts.”

The VC explained that the objectives of the training, among others, are to equip journalists with accurate information on maternal child health (MCH) issues and CHAMPS programmes, enhance media capacity for evidence-based reporting on maternal and child health, foster collaboration between media, health professionals, and policymakers, advocate for policy changes and increased public awareness on MCH, and promote data-driven storytelling to influence public perception and decision-making.

On the critical need for dissemination of CHAMPS activities, he assured that the findings and insights generated by the CHAMPS initiative are not just data points; they are powerful tools that can drive meaningful change in communities.

According to him, “For these insights to translate into real-world impact, they must reach all key stakeholders: policymakers who design and fund health programmes, community and religious leaders who influence public attitudes and behaviours, and the general public who are ultimately the beneficiaries of improved health interventions.”

The VC added that disseminating CHAMPS activities widely ensures that policymakers are equipped with evidence-based information to allocate resources effectively and implement targeted child mortality prevention strategies, just as community and religious leaders understand the causes and prevention methods, enabling them to advocate for healthier practices and support local health initiatives.

Also, the public gains awareness about the risks, preventive measures, and available health services, empowering caregivers to make informed decisions that protect their children.

Speaking on the role of journalists, he stressed that, “This is where the role of journalists becomes vital. Journalists serve as the bridge connecting scientific research with the broader society. Your ability to translate complex health data into compelling, understandable, and culturally sensitive stories is crucial to ensuring that CHAMPS’ valuable findings do not remain confined within academic circles but instead inspire action and change on the ground.”

Ibrahim Hassan Garba stated, “This workshop, therefore, is both apt and timely. It aims to strengthen your capacity as journalists to effectively communicate health-related information, particularly on maternal and child health issues.”

According to him, “By enhancing your skills in accurate reporting, ethical storytelling, and data interpretation, we empower you to be catalysts for change—champions who amplify the voices of vulnerable children and families and advocate for a healthier future.”

He also made a call to action, stressing that, “As journalists, you are the bridge between scientific research and the public. Your stories can save lives by informing caregivers, communities, and policymakers about the realities and solutions surrounding child mortality. I encourage you to approach this training with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a commitment to excellence.”

“Together, through accurate reporting and dedicated advocacy, we can contribute significantly to the reduction of child mortality in Bauchi and beyond,” he added.

“In closing, I want to thank the CHAMPS team for organising this workshop and all of you for your participation. I look forward to the fruitful discussions and impactful stories that will emerge from this gathering,” he concluded.

Speaking earlier, the Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, ATBU, Prof Sambo Bello Zailani, stressed the importance of improving family health through attention to women and children.

He emphasised that maternal health and well-being are inseparable because they are essential aspects of healthcare and national development, lamenting, however, the alarming high rate of death among children under five years.

Represented by Prof Sani Malami, the Provost expressed optimism that the CHAMPS project, in collaboration with the media, would reduce the negative impacts significantly.

Also speaking, the Principal Investigator of CHAMPS, Dr Bashir Muhammad Faruk, lamented that Bauchi State is performing poorly in terms of family health issues, as it has the highest infant and child mortality rate in the country.

He stressed that CHAMPS is doing everything medically possible to change the trend in the state, which is why it organised the workshop to partner with and equip journalists with the knowledge needed to report these issues.

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