Lagos State Health District IV Holds Two-Day Seminar To Combat Infodemics , Misinformation

The Lagos State Health District IV Health Education and Promotion department organised a two-day seminar on Infodemics to enlighten and sensitize Lagosians about misinformation and the spread of fake news, especially during crises in the health sector.

According to Oputeh Michael, Public Affairs Officer of Lagos State Health District IV, during outbreaks or immunization periods, the excessive production of data from multiple sources, the quality of the information, and the speed at which new information is disseminated create social and health-related impacts. This phenomenon, called an Infodemic, involves a torrent of online information containing both false and misleading content as well as accurate data.

The Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Health District IV, Dr. Abimbola Bowale, stated that available evidence suggests that Infodemics during health emergencies have adverse effects on society.

Dr. Bowale emphasized the need for multi-sectoral actions to counter Infodemics and health misinformation, including developing legal policies, creating and promoting awareness campaigns, improving health-related content in mass media, and increasing people’s digital health literacy.

He noted that too much information, including false or misleading messages in digital and physical environments during crises or immunizations—particularly for children—can lead to mistrust of government and public health responses.

The Permanent Secretary urged Lagosians to help slow the spread of health misinformation during disease outbreaks and child vaccinations.

He warned that health misinformation is a serious threat to the public, causing confusion, sowing mistrust, and harming people’s health efforts.

“Limiting the spread of health misinformation is a moral and civic imperative that will require the collective effort of all Lagosians,” he said.