No fewer than 150 journalists on Monday, August 14, 2023, participated in a one-day workshop organized by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The director, of Public Affairs of the agency stated that the media as a tool for behavioral change and development, said that disseminating quality information would bridge the gap on public ignorance around issues of sub-standard goods and use of harmful chemicals.
No fewer than 150 journalists on Monday, August 14, 2023, participated in a one-day workshop organized by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Prof. Moji Adeyeye, Director General, NAFDAC, in her remarks at the event held in Bauchi, said that sensitization had been prioritized across the country to achieve the mandate of the agency.
Represented by Dr. Leonard Omokpariola, Director, of Chemical Evaluation and Research, NAFDAC, she warned members of the public against the random use of products. According to her, the fight against unhealthy practices in the sale of drugs will be sustained to cleanse the system.
“Drugs that are for pharmacy and should be prescribed by a health expert are being sold on the streets.
“These drugs lose equality and efficiency due to activities of temperature, thereby causing havoc to human health.
“Milk sold per measure is also not healthy for consumption,” she said.
The Director General said that the agency leveraged line agencies to sensitize the public. Earlier, Dr Abubakar Jimoh, Director, Public Affairs of the agency, had said that the training became paramount to safeguard public health.
Jimoh, while describing the media as a tool for behavioral change and development, said that disseminating quality information would bridge the gap on public ignorance around issues of sub-standard goods and the use of harmful chemicals.
He added that plans were on the way to establish desk officers across the 776 local government councils in the country to intensify campaigns at all levels.
In his remark, Mr Hassan Zaggi, President, of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists, said that to enhance quality reportage on drug hawking, Journalists must have adequate knowledge to disseminate information to the public. He enjoined participants to judiciously deploy training received at the event into beat practice.
NAN reports that the workshop was attended by journalists and stakeholders from the northeast geopolitical region that includes; Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Tarawa, and Yobe. Some participants also came from Plateau in the north-central zone.
