By Uzair Adam
The Kano State Government has urged journalists to handle information carefully during public health emergencies, warning that panic can sometimes be more harmful than the disease itself.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, stated this in Kaduna during a two-day Emergency Risk Communication workshop organised by the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), with support from the FCDO–Lafiya Programme.
“Sometimes causing panic in a community can be more destructive than the disease itself,” Dr. Yusuf said, stressing that emergencies are often measured in hours or days, and careless communication could cost lives.
He noted the time-sensitive nature of outbreaks, explaining that early and accurate reporting can save lives, while rushed or misleading information can worsen the situation.
Drawing a comparison to medical practice, Dr. Yusuf said suspected disease cases must be carefully investigated, isolated, and confirmed before public disclosure, just as health workers consider worst-case scenarios during diagnosis.
He further highlighted the importance of verification before reporting, cautioning that while journalists often have access to early signals, not all information should be immediately released to the public.
The commissioner also emphasised the ethical dimension of reporting, warning against publishing identifiable details of patients without consent, which could have legal consequences and undermine public trust in health authorities.
Dr. Yusuf stressed that responsible media engagement is crucial in promoting preventive health behaviours such as vaccination, hand hygiene, safe food practices, and environmental sanitation, which are essential to reducing the spread of diseases in communities.
He added that building public trust through careful, evidence-based reporting ensures that citizens follow official health guidance during outbreaks, strengthening the overall effectiveness of emergency response efforts.