Lagos State Government Cautions Residents Against Spreading Unverified Health Information

…Says it breeds confusion, ignorance

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District V, Dr. Oladapo Asiyanbi, has urged residents to desist from spreading false or unverified health information.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement held at the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Multipurpose Hall, Dr. Asiyanbi stressed that circulating unverified messages on social media and other platforms creates unnecessary confusion, fear, and in some cases, endangers lives.

Represented by the Director of Medical Services and Disease Control, Dr. Amina Ahmad Bello, he explained that the sensitisation programme was designed to educate residents and stakeholders on the dangers of health misinformation and to equip them with the right tools to verify and share only credible information.

He reassured the public that the State Government remains committed to providing accurate, reliable, and timely health information, urging residents to always confirm health-related news through official Lagos State Government channels, recognised health institutions, or credible media outlets.

Also speaking, the Director of Health Education and Promotion Services, Mrs. Elizabeth Oguntona, cautioned stakeholders against spreading rumours, particularly on WhatsApp and other social media platforms. She emphasised the need to always verify information with qualified health workers before acting on it.

During the engagement, stakeholders were taken through practical approaches to managing health misinformation (infodemic) in a presentation by Mr. Olusegun Badejo, State Health Educator. Similarly, Mr. Abara Etim of Nigeria Healthwatch urged participants to play active roles in combating false information by sharing only verified news and discouraging rumours within their communities.