How to make health promotion contribute to the achievement of sustainable national development will be the focus of the 1st National Conference on Health Promotion and Education, which comes up in Abuja on May 22 and 23, 2008.
The conference, which is being organized by the Health Promotion & Education Division of the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with health promotion stakeholders in the development sector, is scheduled to be held at Merit House, Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Maitama, Abuja from 9 a.m. each day.
“Health Promotion: Key to Sustainable National Development” is the theme of the conference, the goal of which is “Positioning Health Promotion & Education for Sustainable National Development”, while “Live a Healthy Lifestyle is the slogan.
The objectives are:
- To share experiences and ideas that pertain to health promotion and education
- To provide a platform for stakeholders and development partners to deliberate on modalities that will strengthen health promotion and education nationally
- To acquaint stakeholders with the current and emerging issues concerning health promotion and education activities within the country
- To use the forum as a tool for advocacy to policy and decision makers for health promotion and education programmes, and
- To create awareness for National Health Promotion and Education Programmes
The conference will be declared open by the Honourable Minister of Health. Supporting activities include a health promotion awareness campaign, and exhibition of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials. The conference itself will include technical presentations, plenary sessions, and a time for question and answers.
Key presenters at the conference include:
- Prof. J. D. Adeniyi, University of Ibadan
- Prof. Oladimeji Oladepo, African Regional Health Education Centre (ARHEC), University of Ibadan
- Dr. Fred Oshiname, African Regional Health Education Centre (ARHEC), University of Ibadan
- Dr. Arulogun, African Regional Health Education Centre (ARHEC), University of Ibadan
- Dr. Bright Orji, University of Calabar
- Mr. J. Lawal, Federal Ministry of Information
- Mr. Bola Kusemiju, Community Participation for Action in the Social Sector (COMPASS), Abuja, and
- Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON)
The conference comes at an opportune time to highlight the need for a nationwide implementation of the National Policy on Health Promotion, which was launched in 2007. The critical focus of the health promotion programme is to help people achieve good health through the institutionalization of positive healthy lifestyles. This is done through individual, group and social behaviour change that promote good health.
The mass media and members of the public are invited to the conference.
For further information, contact:
Mrs. F. S. Awelenje
Asst. Chief Health Education Officer
Health Promotion & Education Division
Department of Public Health
Federal Ministry of Health
New Federal Secretariat Complex Phase III
Ahmadu Bello Way, Abuja
