By Samson Obande,  Lafia

The Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Private Health Facilities and Institutions Regulatory Agency, NASPHFIRA, Dr. Nana Awaya Emeribe, has called for strategic partnership with media organizations to enhance public enlightenment on the mandate of the agency.

Dr. Emeribe made the call during a courtesy visit to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, NBS, Mallam Auwwal Salihu, and his management team on Monday.

The visit, which centred on advocacy and public awareness creation, is aimed at regulating the proliferation of private healthcare facilities and their activities in the state.

Dr. Emeribe said the visit marks her first official courtesy call since assuming office as the pioneer Executive Secretary of the newly established agency.

According to her, the role of the media is critical in educating the public on the dangers of patronizing unlicensed health facilities and enlightening private practitioners on the need to comply with regulatory standards.

“NBS is critical to our mission because, as the saying goes, ‘if it is not captured, it is not done.’ Collaborating with NBS is not just optional; it is necessary,” she stated.

She noted that by leveraging the power of the media, even those with limited knowledge will gain insights into comprehensive health services, expressing confidence that with the support of NBS and other media outlets, the agency’s objectives will be achieved seamlessly.

Responding, the Executive Vice Chairman of NBS, Mallam Auwwal Salihu, acknowledged the timely establishment of the regulatory agency, expressing concern over the practices of some traditional medicine practitioners who use harmful narratives that constitute public nuisance.

He assured the NASPHFIRA boss of the station’s readiness to partner with the agency in driving its advocacy campaigns across the state.

Mallam Auwwal commended Governor Abdullahi A. Sule for establishing the agency, noting that its creation will go a long way in sanitizing the health sector and ensuring quality healthcare delivery for the people of Nasarawa State.