The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, has commended the remarkable contributions of female journalists both in Nigeria and globally, noting their increasing influence in shaping public discourse and promoting societal progress.
Dr. Ba’amlong spoke during a courtesy visit from the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), where he praised women in journalism for their role in health promotion, particularly their coverage of the recent State Council on Health.
“Women have made remarkable strides in journalism. Their impact is undeniable, and it is evident that their dedication has helped shape the progress we see today,” the commissioner said. He highlighted that women are increasingly taking leadership roles across professions, citing a recent Bingham University graduation where 41 of 52 medical graduates were female, calling it a global paradigm shift in empowerment.
The commissioner also unveiled the Plateau State Medical Emergency Ambulance System (PLASEMSAS), an initiative approved by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang. The program aims to deploy ambulances statewide to transport critical patients—particularly women, children, and trauma cases—to designated health facilities. Patients will receive free treatment for the first 48 hours, part of broader interventions to enhance healthcare delivery across Plateau.
Dr. Ba’amlong further called on journalists to intensify efforts in public health awareness, noting ongoing disease outbreaks in the state. “The ‘Time is Now’ administration is taking decisive action to address health challenges and has made visible progress across tertiary, secondary, and primary health facilities,” he added.
Speaking earlier, NAWOJ Chairperson, Mrs. Grace Akwe Gotip, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and introduced the newly inaugurated executive committee. She reaffirmed the association’s commitment to amplifying the voices of vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, through impactful journalism.
Mrs. Gotip highlighted NAWOJ’s interventions in cases of sexual and gender-based violence, including the support of a child victim’s education through the Emir of Wase, and called for collaboration on capacity-building workshops and joint public awareness campaigns on women’s health and wellbeing. She also praised Governor Mutfwang for promoting women’s inclusion in governance, citing appointments of qualified women to strategic positions and support for the special seat bill for women.
The visit ended with a mutual commitment to continued partnership between the Ministry of Health and NAWOJ to advance public health, strengthen women’s voices in media, and ensure healthier communities across Plateau State.
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