Bauchi Trains Social Media Influencers to Boost HPV Vaccination, Reduce Maternal Deaths

By Uzairu Dauda Bunga:

The Bauchi State Government has empowered social media handlers and digital influencers to strengthen digital health communication aimed at improving Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination uptake and public awareness across the state.

Speaking during a two-day workshop holding at the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria Secretariat in Bauchi, organized by the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board in collaboration with Upswell, the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Coordinator, Hajiya Jummai Inuwa, said the role of social media influencers and digital handlers in promoting healthcare awareness across Bauchi State cannot be overemphasized.

While presenting a six-year review of maternal and child mortality and morbidity indicators, Hajiya Inuwa disclosed that Bauchi remains among the states with high maternal mortality rates, which informed its inclusion among the participating states under the MAMI programme.

She explained that many women still experience stillbirths and childbirth complications that often result in brain damage among newborns, stressing the need for urgent medical intervention and timely access to healthcare services to save lives.

According to her, the Bauchi State Government is intensifying efforts to reduce maternal deaths, emphasizing that no woman should die while giving birth.

Hajiya Inuwa also revealed that neonatal deaths increased in 2025, attributing the trend partly to poor attendance at antenatal care (ANC) clinics by pregnant women.

She therefore urged media practitioners and digital influencers to support ongoing awareness campaigns aimed at promoting healthy mothers and babies.

She encouraged women to regularly attend antenatal clinics, deliver their babies in hospitals, and ensure complete immunization for their children.

Also speaking, the Public Relations and Information Officer of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Sani, said digital influencers play a critical role in addressing health challenges due to their credibility, audience reach, and ability to bridge cultural gaps.

He noted that religious leaders, healthcare workers, community leaders, parents, and social media content creators are all influential voices capable of changing negative narratives surrounding healthcare issues in society.

Alhaji Sani called on social media handlers in Bauchi State to intensify awareness campaigns on the importance of HPV vaccination and the dangers associated with the HPV virus.

In his remarks, the Deputy Health Educator of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Dabo, said the board had already commenced awareness creation and demand generation activities several months ago ahead of the HPV vaccination campaign in 2025.

He explained that participants at the workshop were carefully selected based on the strategic role they are expected to play in addressing misconceptions and misinformation surrounding the HPV vaccination campaign in Bauchi State.