Writing By Teddy Daniel; Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
Sightsavers International has called on Nigerian journalists to take a frontline role in driving public awareness and government action toward disability inclusion and health equity in the country.
The organisation’s Technical Manager for NTDs, Mr. Terhemen Sunday, made the call during a presentation aimed at strengthening collaboration between the media and the organisation at a two day media engagement held in Kano.
The NGO which focuses on preventing avoidable blindness and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, brought together journalists from across the North-West region to deepen understanding of interventions carried by the NGO and related issues.
Mr. Terhemen Sunday urged the media practitioners to go beyond reporting statistics to telling human centered stories that spotlight the realities of people affected by neglected tropical diseases NTDs and disability exclusion.
“The media holds immense power in shaping public opinion and influencing policy change. When the media tells the right stories, it inspires communities to take action and policymakers to invest in health systems that leave no one behind. Our partnership with journalists is not just about information,it’s about transformation,” he said.
He emphasized that Sightsavers’ for decades have continued to promote access to healthcare, inclusive education, and equal opportunities for women, children, and persons with disabilities.
In a remark, the organisation’s Advocacy Coordinator, Mrs. Esther Bature,noted that the organization is addressing five major neglected tropical diseases affecting millions of Nigerians.
She stressed the importance of media collaboration in sustaining advocacy for preventive health measures and community participation.
Participants at the training pledged to use their platforms to do stories around disability inclusion and even hold policymakers accountable to advance the goals of the Sustainable Development Agenda.
