Punch Media Foundation

Service gives purpose to influence. It gives meaning to success. When effort is directed toward collective wellbeing, impact becomes lasting. At PMF, service is embedded in our commitment to public-interest journalism and community engagement. It reminds us that progress is most powerful when it uplifts others and strengthens shared responsibility. A society rooted in service grows not only stronger but more humane. #MondayMotivation #PUNCHNewspapers #PUNCHMediaFoundation @MobilePunch

The headache won’t go away. Your chest feels tight sometimes. Your stomach acts up for no clear reason. You’ve checked. You’ve treated it. But it keeps coming back. What if your body is not the problem? What if your mind is asking for help and your body is doing the talking? In 2026, let us stop separating mental health from physical health. Because sometimes, the pain you feel is not just physical. It is emotional, too. Listen closely. #PUNCHMediaFoundation #PUNCHNewspapers @MobilePunch

Access shapes behaviour and behaviour shapes outcomes. “In terms of rapid diagnostic tests, for most people in rural communities, once there is high temperature, they go to the PPMVs or ‘chemists’ because there are more of them than PHCs and hospitals.” - Samirah Faruk This is the reality at the last mile of Nigeria’s healthcare system. When proximity determines first contact, informal providers become the frontline of care, often without adequate diagnostic capacity or adherence to standard protocols. The result is delayed diagnosis, presumptive treatment, and weakened malaria control outcomes. The implication is that, malaria interventions must be designed for where people actually seek care not where systems assume they should. During the PUNCH Webinar Series, this insight reinforced a critical priority integrating community-level actors into formal health strategies to improve access, accuracy and accountability. #PUNCHNewspapers #PUNCHMediaFoundation @MobilePunch

A dangerous misconception that is long overdue for correction. “Malaria and typhoid have been forcefully married by Nigerians over the years and the divorce is imminent.” - Dr. Kayode Adesola For years, the assumption of “malaria and typhoid” as a combined diagnosis has shaped treatment decisions across the country, often without proper testing. You want to know the result? Widespread misdiagnosis, unnecessary medication, delayed treatment of the actual illness and increased pressure on already stretched health systems. This insight reveals a critical shift which is that diagnosis must be evidence-based, not assumption-driven. At the PUNCH Webinar Series, the call was to break the cycle of presumptive treatment and prioritise accuracy in care delivery. Because until we separate myth from medicine, progress will remain limited. #PUNCHNewspapers #PUNCHMediaFoundation @MobilePunch

Bridging the gap between knowledge and action. “Media remains the bridge between science and society. The media has continued to play a very important role in the elimination of malaria in Nigeria.” - Angela Onwuzoo Scientific breakthroughs and policy frameworks only deliver impact when they are understood, trusted and acted upon by the public and that bridge is the media. From translating complex health information into accessible narratives to holding institutions accountable, the media shapes awareness, behaviour and outcomes. The role of the media reinforces a critical truth that effective malaria control is about communication that drives action, not only about interventions. At the PUNCH Webinar Series, the role of the media was positioned not as support but as a strategic pillar in the fight against malaria. #PUNCHNewspapers #PUNCHMediaFoundation @MobilePunch

A critical system gap we can no longer ignore. “Wrong use of malaria test kits by healthcare professionals has continued to lead to increase in wrong diagnosis.” - Prof. Wellington Oyibo Access to diagnostic tools is not the problem, the integrity of their use is the problem. When testing protocols are poorly applied, the consequences are far-reaching ranging from misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, avoidable complications to a growing risk of drug resistance. This is a stark reminder that tools alone do not deliver outcomes, systems and discipline do. At the PUNCH Webinar Series, this conversation was pushed beyond theory to practical accountability because improving malaria outcomes in Nigeria requires not just availability of solutions but precision in execution. #PUNCHNewspapers #PUNCHMediaFoundation @MobilePunch

Myth or Fact? Let’s set the record straight. “Insecticide-treated nets do not cause body rashes.” - Prof. Olugbenga Mokuolu One of the silent barriers to malaria prevention is misinformation. Despite widespread distribution of insecticide-treated nets, utilisation remains inconsistent, often driven by misconceptions around safety and comfort. This directly undermines one of the most effective, evidence-backed tools in malaria prevention. What this insight reinforces is that, we cannot win the fight against malaria if behaviour does not align with science. During the webinar, critical myths were being challenged and practical realities are being brought to the fore, because closing the knowledge gap is just as important as funding interventions. #PUNCHNewspapers #PUNCHMediaFoundation @MobilePunch

We are live. The conversation on Malaria in Nigeria: A Shared Fight, A Collective Solution is now underway, bringing together leading voices across policy, healthcare, research, community engagement and the media. This is a strategic, solution-driven dialogue focused on interrogating Nigeria’s malaria response and advancing coordinated action. As discussions unfold, key insights will emerge around what is working, what is not, and what must change. Stay with us for real-time takeaways. Join here: tinyurl.com/PMF-MALARIADAY… #PUNCHNewspapers #PUNCHMediaFoundation @MobilePunch

We are Live! Malaria in Nigeria: A Shared Fight, A Collective Solution This is a carefully curated conversation bringing together leading voices across policy, clinical practice, research, community engagement, and the media, all aligned toward one goal: driving practical, scalable solutions to Nigeria’s malaria challenge. As you join, come prepared to: • Engage with evidence, not assumptions • Interrogate gaps in implementation • Contribute to solution-driven dialogue • Align on actions that can move the needle This is a platform for influence, insight and impact. If your work intersects with: • Health systems strengthening • Policy and governance • Programme implementation • Public accountability • Research and development • Media and advocacy …then this is a conversation you should be part of. Join stakeholders across government, development organisations, healthcare, academia and civil society in shaping a more coordinated and effective malaria response for Nigeria. Join here: tinyurl.com/PMF-MALARIADAY… #PUNCHNewspapers #PUNCHMediaFoundation @MobilePunch

Progress is intentional. The choices made today determine the strength and direction of tomorrow. At PUNCH Media Foundation, preparation takes the form of informed reporting, critical inquiry and continuous engagement with society’s most pressing issues. When communities are equipped with knowledge and clarity, they are better positioned to demand accountability and shape inclusive futures. Preparation transforms hope into action and vision into reality. #MondayMotivation #PUNCHNewspapers #PUNCHMediaFoundation @MobilePunch

Every high-stakes conversation needs a steady, insightful hand to guide it. Deborah Tolu-Kolawole brings exactly that. A Development Communications Professional and Journalist at PUNCH Newspapers, she combines storytelling expertise with a deep understanding of policy and social impact issues. As moderator, she will ensure the conversation remains focused, engaging and outcome-driven, connecting insights across sectors and translating expert contributions into clear, actionable takeaways for participants. If you are enthusiactic about policy development, civic engagement, grassroots to national healthcare development, don't miss conversation. You definitely should not miss this industry gathering if you function in any of the following areas of development and or if you are one of the following: •Policymakers & Government Stakeholders (FMoH, NMEP, regulators) •International Development Organisations (WHO, World Bank, NGOs) •Healthcare Professionals & Associations •Media & Health Journalists •Academia & Researchers •Civil Society & Advocacy Groups •Educated Public / Policy-Aware Audience Your seat must not be taken by someone else...the room must not be full without you in it. Reserve your seat now: tinyurl.com/PMF-MALARIADAY… @MobilePunch #PUNCHNewspapers #PUNCHMediaFoundation

Information shapes behaviour and the media determines how that information reaches the public. @AngelaOnwuzoo sits at the heart of that influence. As Editor of PUNCH HealthWise, she has consistently driven high-impact health journalism, translating complex medical issues into accessible, actionable insights for millions of Nigerians. At this webinar, she will explore the strategic role of the media in malaria control from raising awareness to holding institutions accountable and why sustained, accurate storytelling is essential for driving public health outcomes. If you are enthusiactic about policy development, civic engagement, grassroots to national healthcare development, don't miss conversation. You definitely should not miss this industry gathering if you function in any of the following areas of development and or if you are one of the following: •Policymakers & Government Stakeholders (FMoH, NMEP, regulators) •International Development Organisations (WHO, World Bank, NGOs) •Healthcare Professionals & Associations •Media & Health Journalists •Academia & Researchers •Civil Society & Advocacy Groups •Educated Public / Policy-Aware Audience Your seat must not be taken by someone else...the room must not be full without you in it. Reserve your seat now: tinyurl.com/PMF-MALARIADAY… @MobilePunch #PUNCHNewspapers #PUNCHMediaFoundation

Policy conversations often miss a critical layer; the real behaviour of patients and providers on the ground. Dr. Kayode Adesola brings that missing perspective. As National President of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners, he represents a sector that manages a significant share of malaria cases across the country. His insights are rooted in daily interactions with patients, treatment patterns and systemic realities within private healthcare delivery. At this session, he will spotlight how Nigerians respond to malaria, the gaps in treatment adherence and the practical steps required to improve early diagnosis and effective case management at scale. If you are enthusiactic about policy development, civic engagement, grassroots to national healthcare development, don't miss conversation. You definitely should not miss this industry gathering if you function in any of the following areas of development and or if you are one of the following: •Policymakers & Government Stakeholders (FMoH, NMEP, regulators) •International Development Organisations (WHO, World Bank, NGOs) •Healthcare Professionals & Associations •Media & Health Journalists •Academia & Researchers •Civil Society & Advocacy Groups •Educated Public / Policy-Aware Audience Your seat must not be taken by someone else...the room must not be full without you in it. Reserve your seat now: tinyurl.com/PMF-MALARIADAY… #PUNCHNewspapers #PUNCHMediaFoundation @MobilePunch

Ending malaria is not only a medical challenge, it is also a community engagement challenge. Samirah Faruk understands this better than most. As Founder & CEO of Serendipity Healthcare Foundation, she works at the grassroots level, driving health awareness, behavioural change and access to care in underserved communities across Northern Nigeria. Her perspective brings a critical dimension to the conversation: how policies and interventions translate or fail to translate into real impact at the community level. At the webinar, she will highlight the role of advocacy, trust-building and local participation in sustaining malaria prevention efforts. If you are enthusiactic about policy development, civic engagement, grassroots to national healthcare development, don't miss conversation. You definitely should not miss this industry gathering if you function in any of the following areas of development and or if you are one of the following: •Policymakers & Government Stakeholders (FMoH, NMEP, regulators) •International Development Organisations (WHO, World Bank, NGOs) •Healthcare Professionals & Associations •Media & Health Journalists •Academia & Researchers •Civil Society & Advocacy Groups •Educated Public / Policy-Aware Audience Your seat must not be taken by someone else...the room must not be full without you in it. Reserve your seat now: tinyurl.com/PMF-MALARIADAY… #PUNCHNewspapers #PUNCHMediaFoundation @MobilePunch

In a country where malaria is often treated without confirmation, Professor Wellington Oyibo is championing a critical shift into the best practice of Test Before Treatment. As Director of the Centre for Transdisciplinary Research in Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases at the University of Lagos, his work has been instrumental in advancing evidence-based malaria diagnosis and surveillance systems in Nigeria. At the webinar, he will bring a data-driven perspective to the conversation, highlighting the risks of misdiagnosis, the growing threat of drug resistance and why strengthening diagnostic discipline is non-negotiable for effective malaria control. If you are enthusiactic about policy development, civic engagement, grassroots to national healthcare development, don't miss conversation. You definitely should not miss this industry gathering if you function in any of the following areas of development and or if you are one of the following: •Policymakers & Government Stakeholders (FMoH, NMEP, regulators) •International Development Organisations (WHO, World Bank, NGOs) •Healthcare Professionals & Associations •Media & Health Journalists •Academia & Researchers •Civil Society & Advocacy Groups •Educated Public / Policy-Aware Audience Your seat must not be taken by someone else...the room must not be full without you in it. Reserve your seat now: tinyurl.com/PMF-MALARIADAY… #PUNCHNewspapers #PUNCHMediaFoundation @MobilePunch