Solacebase Communications has organised a two–day capacity building training for journalists on investigative, data-driven journalism and health reporting at the grass-roots level to improve healthcare service delivery to beneficiary communities. Solacebase Communications publishes Solacebase online newspaper.
The training which took place in Kano State, was organised in partnership with Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) and supported by MacArthur Foundation. It focused on accountability, transparency and ensuring judicious use of human and material resources dedicated to rural health programmes for the benefit of the people.
Speaking at the opening of the training, Editor-in-Chief, Solacebase online newspaper, Mr. Abdullateef Abubakar Jos, said the capacity building sessions are aimed at empowering journalists with requisite technology with the methodology for tracking funds, transparency in the use of resources, investigating and ensuring the effectiveness of primary health care in the country with the aim of reducing child and maternal mortality, in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) no 3, which emphasizes good health and well-being.
He said the training is intended to redirect reportage to address hindrances to access to quality healthcare services at the grass-roots and to sensitize communities to demand for better healthcare in the rural areas.
Abdullateef added that with the training journalists would be equipped with modern investigative reportage skills to collaborate with civil society organizations and other stakeholders to check government spending, human resources distribution and availability of primary health care in rural communities.
The capacity building training was held under the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development, Inclusivity and Accountability (CMEDIA) Project, an initiative of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), funded by the MacArthur Foundation. The Collaborative Media Engagement is aimed to strengthen media independence and presence, especially at state and local government levels and the private sector, in a bid to improve public awareness and the ecosystem for transparency, accountability and good governance.
