Anna Ah-wan, Producer, Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation
The Seychelles (population 80,000), may be able to set an example for other nations. On the 7th of December, 2007, the Seychelles Government introduced a set of guidelines relating to HIV/AIDS Policy in the Workplace.
It is another way forward in the fight against stigmatisation and discrimination visavis HIV/AIDS.
On this note, I wish to thank you for all those updates on health which has helped me in my production for radio. Via your listserv, I have also had the chance to attend a workshop in Uganda on bird flu earlier this year which has also been very rewarding.
Merry x mas and Happy New year 2008!
Download "Seychelles HIV/AIDS Policy in the Workplace" pdf file (56 Kb)
December 11, 2007
December 04, 2007
"Journalists need training here too"
Email from: Steven Chongo Mpuku, Journalist, Zambia
I am a journalist at a local Community radio station right here in Zambia. I am involved in reporting on and making radio programmes on health health issues. I came across your website, www.healthandmedia.org, this morning and, what surprised me is that, among the African countries that you have provided in-country training for, Zambia is not one of them. I feel Zambia should be included given the high prevalence of HIV over here.
Zambia has a 16% HIV+ rate. More than 1million people are infected.
With this, I think Journalists here should be better equipped with more Knowledge and better skills so that they can contribute positively to the fight against this pandemic.
I hope you give it a thought.
I am a journalist at a local Community radio station right here in Zambia. I am involved in reporting on and making radio programmes on health health issues. I came across your website, www.healthandmedia.org, this morning and, what surprised me is that, among the African countries that you have provided in-country training for, Zambia is not one of them. I feel Zambia should be included given the high prevalence of HIV over here.
Zambia has a 16% HIV+ rate. More than 1million people are infected.
With this, I think Journalists here should be better equipped with more Knowledge and better skills so that they can contribute positively to the fight against this pandemic.
I hope you give it a thought.
Malaria Advocacy Innovation Grants
Malaria Advocacy Innovation Grants 2007 Round Two - Africa
Deadline Date: December 10, 2007
The Innovation Grants for Malaria Advocacy is an initiative of the Malaria Consortium’s Mobilising for Malaria (M4M) programme which is supported by GlaxoSmithKline’s African Malaria Partnership.
The aim of the Innovation Grants for Malaria Advocacy is to promote and support new and original initiatives from civil society organisations (non-governmental organisations (NGOs), academic institutions, media), and community leaders.
The grants support ideas and partnerships that aim to reach new audiences in creative ways and to tackle issues such as equity, transparency, and accountability in Africa. The grants also aim to encourage the engagement of artists to amplify advocacy messages in African countries.
The grants are awarded annually to new initiatives in Africa. Five grants, ranging from US$5,000 to US$25,000, will be awarded in 2007:
* large grant up to US $25,000: only one possible award;
* medium grant up to US$10,000: two possible awards; and
* small grant up to US $5,000: five possible awards
Applicants from French speaking countries are encouraged to submit proposals.
The grants will not support:
* service delivery activities ;
* purchase of drugs, diagnostic test kits, health equipment, nets;
* purchase of information technology and photo equipment which are not central to the implementation of the project;
* projects outside Africa ;
* projects that are not run by African organisations;
* organisations/institutions already receiving funding for malaria advocacy from any source, or;
* individuals who are not working in partnership with an organisation or are not sponsored and based in an institution or organisation.
Application Information
Application deadline is December 10 2007. Applications will be accepted from established non-governmental organisations and institutions and from individuals associated with an organisation or institution, who meet the following criteria:
* evidence of experience in carrying out communications/media/advocacy activities;
* demonstrated involvement or interest in malaria related advocacy activities;
* capacity and necessary resources to implement and carry out the project and
* proof of legal status and accountability.
Applicants must identify clearly in their application the geographic area and groups they propose to reach through their project.
The application process has four stages:
* applications;
* shortlisting;
* final selection and
* grant awards.
The final selection will include a visit to each organisation/institution which has been short listed if appropriate with the aim of meeting project staff and reviewing the application in details.
Click here to download the application forms and more information:
Malaria Consortium
info@malariaconsortium.org
Deadline Date: December 10, 2007
The Innovation Grants for Malaria Advocacy is an initiative of the Malaria Consortium’s Mobilising for Malaria (M4M) programme which is supported by GlaxoSmithKline’s African Malaria Partnership.
The aim of the Innovation Grants for Malaria Advocacy is to promote and support new and original initiatives from civil society organisations (non-governmental organisations (NGOs), academic institutions, media), and community leaders.
The grants support ideas and partnerships that aim to reach new audiences in creative ways and to tackle issues such as equity, transparency, and accountability in Africa. The grants also aim to encourage the engagement of artists to amplify advocacy messages in African countries.
The grants are awarded annually to new initiatives in Africa. Five grants, ranging from US$5,000 to US$25,000, will be awarded in 2007:
* large grant up to US $25,000: only one possible award;
* medium grant up to US$10,000: two possible awards; and
* small grant up to US $5,000: five possible awards
Applicants from French speaking countries are encouraged to submit proposals.
The grants will not support:
* service delivery activities ;
* purchase of drugs, diagnostic test kits, health equipment, nets;
* purchase of information technology and photo equipment which are not central to the implementation of the project;
* projects outside Africa ;
* projects that are not run by African organisations;
* organisations/institutions already receiving funding for malaria advocacy from any source, or;
* individuals who are not working in partnership with an organisation or are not sponsored and based in an institution or organisation.
Application Information
Application deadline is December 10 2007. Applications will be accepted from established non-governmental organisations and institutions and from individuals associated with an organisation or institution, who meet the following criteria:
* evidence of experience in carrying out communications/media/advocacy activities;
* demonstrated involvement or interest in malaria related advocacy activities;
* capacity and necessary resources to implement and carry out the project and
* proof of legal status and accountability.
Applicants must identify clearly in their application the geographic area and groups they propose to reach through their project.
The application process has four stages:
* applications;
* shortlisting;
* final selection and
* grant awards.
The final selection will include a visit to each organisation/institution which has been short listed if appropriate with the aim of meeting project staff and reviewing the application in details.
Click here to download the application forms and more information:
Malaria Consortium
info@malariaconsortium.org
Job: News Media Coordinator, Washington, DC
Job Description:
The News Media Coordinator will work with the manager of media programs and others at PRB to develop training programs for journalists as part of efforts to raise awareness of family planning and other reproductive health issues in developing countries. These activities will focus on strengthening local capacities to understand the latest data and their policy and program implications, forming in-country networks of journalists who report on health issues and, through workshops and seminars, providing them with up-to-date data and other information that can help them to improve their reporting on reproductive health issues. The News Media Coordinator will work with editors and other top employees of media houses to identify appropriate journalists to participate in educational workshops and seminars that the candidate will help to develop and implement.
Qualifications:
Applicants must have at least 5 years of experience as a journalist, demonstrated experience in training and giving workshops, experience working in developing countries, and some familiarity with sexual and reproductive health issues. Excellent English writing and oral communication skills are essential. An ability to work in French or Spanish would be desirable.
Salary and Benefits:
Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. PRB has an excellent benefits package, including generous health, leave, and retirement plans.
To Apply:
Please send cover letter noting the job for which you are applying, plus a resume with salary requirements to HR Specialist, Population Reference Bureau, 1875 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 520, Washington, DC 20009, USA; fax to 202-328-3937; or email your resume to jjackson@prb.org.
The News Media Coordinator will work with the manager of media programs and others at PRB to develop training programs for journalists as part of efforts to raise awareness of family planning and other reproductive health issues in developing countries. These activities will focus on strengthening local capacities to understand the latest data and their policy and program implications, forming in-country networks of journalists who report on health issues and, through workshops and seminars, providing them with up-to-date data and other information that can help them to improve their reporting on reproductive health issues. The News Media Coordinator will work with editors and other top employees of media houses to identify appropriate journalists to participate in educational workshops and seminars that the candidate will help to develop and implement.
Qualifications:
Applicants must have at least 5 years of experience as a journalist, demonstrated experience in training and giving workshops, experience working in developing countries, and some familiarity with sexual and reproductive health issues. Excellent English writing and oral communication skills are essential. An ability to work in French or Spanish would be desirable.
Salary and Benefits:
Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. PRB has an excellent benefits package, including generous health, leave, and retirement plans.
To Apply:
Please send cover letter noting the job for which you are applying, plus a resume with salary requirements to HR Specialist, Population Reference Bureau, 1875 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 520, Washington, DC 20009, USA; fax to 202-328-3937; or email your resume to jjackson@prb.org.
Latest awards, grants, prizes
Grant to raise awareness about malaria
Media organizations may apply.
More
Bangladesh AIDS reporting contest deadline
A contest for HIV/AIDS reporting in Bangladesh has extended its deadline to December 11.
More
Photo contest raises awareness of disabled people
The theme of the contest is "Decent work for persons with disabilities."
Entry deadline: November 21.
More: http://asiamediaforum.org/node/757
Contest honours best reporting on health care
Reporters who have covered health issues can submit their best work for the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism. Deadline: January 16.
More
Journalism Prize for TB Reporting
The award will recognize reporting and commentary in print and on the web.
More details
Award for Global Health & Human Rights
Nomination Deadline: Jan. 15, 2008.
Media organizations may apply.
More
Bangladesh AIDS reporting contest deadline
A contest for HIV/AIDS reporting in Bangladesh has extended its deadline to December 11.
More
Photo contest raises awareness of disabled people
The theme of the contest is "Decent work for persons with disabilities."
Entry deadline: November 21.
More: http://asiamediaforum.org/node/757
Contest honours best reporting on health care
Reporters who have covered health issues can submit their best work for the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism. Deadline: January 16.
More
Journalism Prize for TB Reporting
The award will recognize reporting and commentary in print and on the web.
More details
Award for Global Health & Human Rights
Nomination Deadline: Jan. 15, 2008.
November 21, 2007
Job: BBC World Service Trust, Bangladesh
Reporting to: Director, Asia
Grade: 11
Duration: 12 months initially, extending to 3 years
Grade: 11
Duration: 12 months initially, extending to 3 years
Position: Country Director
The BBC World Service Trust uses media and communications to reduce poverty and promote human rights in developing countries. In Bangladesh, the Trust is about to launch a major television-based English project, building on its successful governance initiative of national radio and television debates with the BBC Bangla Service.
The Trust is looking for a Country Director to manage its expanding operations in Bangladesh. By the end of 2008, it is expected the Trust will be employing up to 60 full- and part-time staff across two offices. Based in Dhaka, the Country Director will lead these staff and be responsible for implementing and further developing the Trust’s strategy for Bangladesh.
This is a demanding role in a challenging working environment. The BBC has strong brand recognition in country, through the BBC Bangla Service and Bangladesh Sanglap, the Trust’s governance project. The proposed English language project is one of the most innovative and ambitious cross-platform media interventions anywhere in the world.
The Trust is looking for a Country Director to manage its expanding operations in Bangladesh. By the end of 2008, it is expected the Trust will be employing up to 60 full- and part-time staff across two offices. Based in Dhaka, the Country Director will lead these staff and be responsible for implementing and further developing the Trust’s strategy for Bangladesh.
This is a demanding role in a challenging working environment. The BBC has strong brand recognition in country, through the BBC Bangla Service and Bangladesh Sanglap, the Trust’s governance project. The proposed English language project is one of the most innovative and ambitious cross-platform media interventions anywhere in the world.
Educated to degree-level or equivalent, with relevant experience working at a strategic level, you will ideally currently be in a senior management position in the media and/or international development setting. You will have significant experience managing large budgets, and diverse teams. You will be a highly effective negotiator with excellent interpersonal and presentational with a strong understanding of, and commitment to international development. Ideally you will have experience of using media to achieve development goals and will be experienced in managing relationships with a range of local and international partners and stakeholders.
The ability to speak Bangla would be desirable.
The ability to speak Bangla would be desirable.
November 11, 2007
Female condom back in Uganda
by Rebecca Birungi
The World Health Organization (WHO) suspended the use of microbicides over safety concerns. Dangers that may put women at risk of acquiring infections.
In addition, the Ministry of Health and its donor partners are to re-introduce the "Femidom" (female) condom in April, 2008. The female condom was originally pulled from the market by the Ministry of Health after many were found on sale that had expired.
According to Doctor Henry Kakande, the Technical Manager of the "Acquire Project", this new improved version of the Femidom, is part of a greater effort to to underline the importance and encourage "Family Planning" in Uganda.
The World Health Organization (WHO) suspended the use of microbicides over safety concerns. Dangers that may put women at risk of acquiring infections.
In addition, the Ministry of Health and its donor partners are to re-introduce the "Femidom" (female) condom in April, 2008. The female condom was originally pulled from the market by the Ministry of Health after many were found on sale that had expired.
According to Doctor Henry Kakande, the Technical Manager of the "Acquire Project", this new improved version of the Femidom, is part of a greater effort to to underline the importance and encourage "Family Planning" in Uganda.
Dr. Kakande also stated that over 100,000 female condoms will be distributed via health centres and hospitals, free of charge, in the first quarter of 2008, by the health Ministry and the National Drug Authority (NDA).
According to professionals, the female condom can be inserted up eight hours, before intercourse, so that it does not interfere with the moment. Some of the youths in higher institutions we interacted with, are excited and agree that the female condom will protect them against Sexually Transmitted Diseases once used correctly. This female condom is about 6.5 inches in length. The woman wears it during the sexual engagement process. It has an inner and outer ring. The condom entirely limes the virginal and helps to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases especially HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Kakande further explained that Uganda will join other countries like Kenya, Tanzania, United States of America and South Africa in using the female condom giving women options to choose.
Women activitists say these condoms give women more power and responsibility relating to safer sex and contraception. They did point out however, that prevailing culture and society still makes it difficult for women to negotiate for safer sex even in this instance. They also added that the cost of the female condom will also be a barrier.
October 20, 2007
Mozambique: hope for malaria vaccine
Alfredo Libombo, National Director, Media Institute of Southern Africa, Mozambique
The Health Investigation Center in Manhica, also known as CSIM, published, on Wednesday 17 October 2007, results of a product that could lead to a vaccine against malaria.
Results reveal a 65% reduction of new infections in newborn babies aged between 10 to 18 weeks for a period of 3 months following treatment.
In addition, these children had a 35% reduction in "cyclic episodes of malaria" 6 months after starting treatment.
Dr. Pedro Luis Alonso, Scientific Director of the Manhiça Health Research Center (pictured left) says that if results continue to be positive, "Phase III" will start in the second half of next year". Successful results in "Phase III" could lead to the submission of the vaccine to the regulatory authorities in 2011.
The Health Investigation Center in Manhica, also known as CSIM, published, on Wednesday 17 October 2007, results of a product that could lead to a vaccine against malaria.
Results reveal a 65% reduction of new infections in newborn babies aged between 10 to 18 weeks for a period of 3 months following treatment.
In addition, these children had a 35% reduction in "cyclic episodes of malaria" 6 months after starting treatment.
Dr. Pedro Luis Alonso, Scientific Director of the Manhiça Health Research Center (pictured left) says that if results continue to be positive, "Phase III" will start in the second half of next year". Successful results in "Phase III" could lead to the submission of the vaccine to the regulatory authorities in 2011.
Funding for journalists to AIDS conference
Dave Agbenu, Accra, Ghana
"I am the Organizing Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association...
This is to inform members of the Health and Media listserv that from November 28 to November 30, there is going to be an AIDS conference in Ghana. The return airfare, accommodation, meals, local transport will be taken care of by sponsors.
The conference starts from 28th and ends on 30th November 2007.
Interested journalists should send their e-mails/contacts to etsey25@yahoo.com as soon as possible so that bookings for their flights from their respective countries can commence.
Thanks..."
"I am the Organizing Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association...
This is to inform members of the Health and Media listserv that from November 28 to November 30, there is going to be an AIDS conference in Ghana. The return airfare, accommodation, meals, local transport will be taken care of by sponsors.
The conference starts from 28th and ends on 30th November 2007.
Interested journalists should send their e-mails/contacts to etsey25@yahoo.com as soon as possible so that bookings for their flights from their respective countries can commence.
Thanks..."
October 16, 2007
Media Advisory: Malaria
New report cites progress on malaria
Who:
Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director, UNICEF
Dr. Awa Marie Coll-Seck, Executive Director, Roll Back Malaria Partnership
Dr. Tedros Adhanon Ghebreysus, Minister of Health, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Rear Admiral Tim Ziemer, President's Malaria Initiative
When:
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
07.00 (Pacific time)
10.00 (Eastern time)
15.00 (London time)
16.00 (Johannesburg time)
What:
Media briefing, embargoed for 00.01 GMT, Wednesday 17 October
Where:
By telephone
Why: A new report, Malaria and Children, Progress in Intervention Coverage, finds significant gains in the fight against malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Providing a comprehensive assessment of the progress that has been made in malaria control, the r eport finds a rapid increase in the supply of insecticide-treated bed nets between 2004 and 2006.
The report, prepared by UNICEF on behalf of the Roll Back Malaria initiative, is being launched in Seattle, Washington State, to coincide with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Malaria Forum, 16-18 October.
TO JOIN THE CALL AND FOR MORE INFORMATION: send your contact information to "HALIL, Katya
halilk@who.int sothat Katyacanconnect youto the call at the set time
October 04, 2007
Unsafe sex drives HIV infection
Maruf Mallick, bdnews24.com, staff correspondent, Bangladesh
Dhaka, Sept 27 (bdnews24.com)—Increasing risky extramarital sex practices among the Bangladeshi males is likely to exacerbate the rate of HIV-AIDS infection countrywide, says a recent ICDDR, B study.
“We have to be extra careful about handling our sex life, as we’re highly vulnerable now because most people care very little about using condoms and choosing sex partners,” said ICDDR, B researcher Dr Mahbub Elahi to bdnews24.com Wednesday.
The study found efforts to raise awareness and to take protection against HIV infection was not seeing much success because of the high incidence of extramarital sex with sex-workers and chance acquaintances coupled with general nonchalance about using condoms.
These trends point to the possibilities of huge explosion in the rate of HIV infection in the near future, the study warned.
The study showed that females were less prone to having extramarital sex compared with males. Only about 11 percent of females with their husbands living abroad tended to be promiscuous.
It also revealed that habitually more promiscuous males tended to be more aggressively so when they were separated from their wives or regular sex partners.
The 2005 study conducted in Dhaka, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazaar, Bogra, Rajshahi and Faridpur districts on the sexual behaviours of 7,122 males observed that 18 percent of the survey respondents had experienced extramarital sex and 56 percent had sex with more than one partners.
Of the respondents, 52 percent were townspeople and 59 percent earned less than Tk 5,000 a month. Three-fourths of them were in services, the rest being farmers or labourers.
Males aged below 30 years were found to be most promiscuous among the different age groups; of them, 27 percent were bachelors.
“In case the current rate of extramarital sexual aberrations aggravates, it should be quite dangerous,” said BSMMU virology professor M Nazrul Islam to bdnews24.com.
He said the ICDDR, B study is a scientific one and reiterated, ”We’ve to seriously consider ways of curbing unsafe sex everywhere.”
The study found that more and more of the low-income people tended to have sex with risky partners. Again, it was them who did not care about using condoms while going for risky sex.
Promiscuity leads to HIV infection in increasing number of cases also.
The study highlighted the need for effectively changing the male sexual behaviour generally through cutting down on changing sex partners and using condoms regularly.
bdnews24.com/mrf/ac/gna/wz/bd/1534hours
Dhaka, Sept 27 (bdnews24.com)—Increasing risky extramarital sex practices among the Bangladeshi males is likely to exacerbate the rate of HIV-AIDS infection countrywide, says a recent ICDDR, B study.
“We have to be extra careful about handling our sex life, as we’re highly vulnerable now because most people care very little about using condoms and choosing sex partners,” said ICDDR, B researcher Dr Mahbub Elahi to bdnews24.com Wednesday.
The study found efforts to raise awareness and to take protection against HIV infection was not seeing much success because of the high incidence of extramarital sex with sex-workers and chance acquaintances coupled with general nonchalance about using condoms.
These trends point to the possibilities of huge explosion in the rate of HIV infection in the near future, the study warned.
The study showed that females were less prone to having extramarital sex compared with males. Only about 11 percent of females with their husbands living abroad tended to be promiscuous.
It also revealed that habitually more promiscuous males tended to be more aggressively so when they were separated from their wives or regular sex partners.
The 2005 study conducted in Dhaka, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazaar, Bogra, Rajshahi and Faridpur districts on the sexual behaviours of 7,122 males observed that 18 percent of the survey respondents had experienced extramarital sex and 56 percent had sex with more than one partners.
Of the respondents, 52 percent were townspeople and 59 percent earned less than Tk 5,000 a month. Three-fourths of them were in services, the rest being farmers or labourers.
Males aged below 30 years were found to be most promiscuous among the different age groups; of them, 27 percent were bachelors.
“In case the current rate of extramarital sexual aberrations aggravates, it should be quite dangerous,” said BSMMU virology professor M Nazrul Islam to bdnews24.com.
He said the ICDDR, B study is a scientific one and reiterated, ”We’ve to seriously consider ways of curbing unsafe sex everywhere.”
The study found that more and more of the low-income people tended to have sex with risky partners. Again, it was them who did not care about using condoms while going for risky sex.
Promiscuity leads to HIV infection in increasing number of cases also.
The study highlighted the need for effectively changing the male sexual behaviour generally through cutting down on changing sex partners and using condoms regularly.
bdnews24.com/mrf/ac/gna/wz/bd/1534hours
September 30, 2007
NGO condemns Cross Generational Sex
Blasius Charles NJI, Bamenda, Cameroon
Ten traditional rulers, ten Muslims rulers, over a dozen journalists, principals of secondary schools and parents, in Bamenda, capital of the North west province of Cameroon have condemned what they called Cross Generational Sex (CGS) and have called on parents and opinion leaders to educate their daughters on responsible behaviour in the society and practice abstinence as the best way to fights the killer disease called HIV/AIDS. Most of the causes were identified as immoral dressing by young girls, heavy alcohol by men that leads them to be tipsy, nagging housewives, and poverty.
Cross Generational Sex (CGS) is a sexual relationship between an old man of more than fifty years who is dating a young girl of less than twenty years or when an old woman of more than fifty years is dating a young boy of less than 20 years. This last for a short period of about one year and there is no element of love in such relationships. Most young girls in Cameroon do this because they want to obtain sexual gratification, regain youth vigour, seek comfort, gain social recognition from peers. Other reasons include the need for money and gifts, social status, pressure from peers and parents, sexual pleasure, desire to marry, social norms and male dominance, lack of self esteem, unemployment opportunities
The risks include unwanted pregnancies, abandonment by older partners, brutality from older partners, disintegration of families, too many economic demands, lose of dignity, and public embarrassment by younger partners
The one day phase II of the campaign workshop was organised by the regional coordinator the Cameroon Association of Social Marketing (ACMS), led by Tanteh Vitalis under the auspices of the assistant director of ACMS, Hyndricks Bille from Yaounde, capital of Cameroon, and with the assistance of the coordinator of the North west Provincial Technical Group (PTG) of the National Aids Control Committee (NACC), Dr Madeleine Mayer.
Cross Generational Sex is practiced and promoted by men who are above fifty years dating young girls of less than 20 years. According to the Cameroon 2004 Demographic and Health Survey, the national HIV prevalence in Cameroon was 5.5% compared to only 0.5% in 1987. Out of ten cases of HIV in Cameroon are acquired through heterosexual transmission, and the highest rate is between the 30-39 age range with 8.6% in women and 7.8% in men. Young girls of 15-19 years are 2.2% and boys are 0.6%
Former newspaper editor, NJI Blasius Charles, is the executive coordinator of Charmers Media and Communication Consults (CHAMECC) and the managing editor of a weekly 12 page newspaper called The Pilot, based in Bamenda. CHAMECC is a non governmental organisation (NGO) working in the area of media and communication, and focussing on HIV/AIDS awarness.
Ten traditional rulers, ten Muslims rulers, over a dozen journalists, principals of secondary schools and parents, in Bamenda, capital of the North west province of Cameroon have condemned what they called Cross Generational Sex (CGS) and have called on parents and opinion leaders to educate their daughters on responsible behaviour in the society and practice abstinence as the best way to fights the killer disease called HIV/AIDS. Most of the causes were identified as immoral dressing by young girls, heavy alcohol by men that leads them to be tipsy, nagging housewives, and poverty.
Cross Generational Sex (CGS) is a sexual relationship between an old man of more than fifty years who is dating a young girl of less than twenty years or when an old woman of more than fifty years is dating a young boy of less than 20 years. This last for a short period of about one year and there is no element of love in such relationships. Most young girls in Cameroon do this because they want to obtain sexual gratification, regain youth vigour, seek comfort, gain social recognition from peers. Other reasons include the need for money and gifts, social status, pressure from peers and parents, sexual pleasure, desire to marry, social norms and male dominance, lack of self esteem, unemployment opportunities
The risks include unwanted pregnancies, abandonment by older partners, brutality from older partners, disintegration of families, too many economic demands, lose of dignity, and public embarrassment by younger partners
The one day phase II of the campaign workshop was organised by the regional coordinator the Cameroon Association of Social Marketing (ACMS), led by Tanteh Vitalis under the auspices of the assistant director of ACMS, Hyndricks Bille from Yaounde, capital of Cameroon, and with the assistance of the coordinator of the North west Provincial Technical Group (PTG) of the National Aids Control Committee (NACC), Dr Madeleine Mayer.
Cross Generational Sex is practiced and promoted by men who are above fifty years dating young girls of less than 20 years. According to the Cameroon 2004 Demographic and Health Survey, the national HIV prevalence in Cameroon was 5.5% compared to only 0.5% in 1987. Out of ten cases of HIV in Cameroon are acquired through heterosexual transmission, and the highest rate is between the 30-39 age range with 8.6% in women and 7.8% in men. Young girls of 15-19 years are 2.2% and boys are 0.6%
Former newspaper editor, NJI Blasius Charles, is the executive coordinator of Charmers Media and Communication Consults (CHAMECC) and the managing editor of a weekly 12 page newspaper called The Pilot, based in Bamenda. CHAMECC is a non governmental organisation (NGO) working in the area of media and communication, and focussing on HIV/AIDS awarness.
UK politician talks malaria in Mozambique
Maputo, 24 Sep (AIM) - British parliamentarian Stephen O'Brien, chairperson of the Malaria Consortium, an international NGO that provides delivery programmes to combat malaria, arrived in Maputo on Monday to see the work of the Consortium on the ground.
O'Brien is a member of the British Conservative Party, and is Shadow Minister of Health. He has been campaigning against malaria for 30 years, and told AIM that, as a member of parliament, he has "a platform for speaking out on a disease that kills a child in Africa every 30 seconds".
O'Brien, who also heads the all-party parliamentary group on malaria in the British House of Commons, said it was "very important to cement the political will to use donor taxpayer money on things that work and make a difference".
He regarded malaria control as falling into that category. Tackling malaria, he said, was "one of the best ways of bringing down child and maternal mortality rates".
On Monday morning, O'Brien met with Mouzinho Saide, the National Director for the Promotion of Health and Disease Control, the Health Ministry department responsible for the malaria control programme. He was "pleased that the Ministry recognises malaria as a major priority".
Of all the diseases that strike the Mozambican population, malaria remains the largest single killer. About six million cases of malaria are diagnosed in Mozambique a year, and 4,000 people a month are known to die of the disease. These figures are likely to be underestimates, since they do not include people suffering from malaria who are unable to reach a health unit.
Asked his views on treatment and prevention, O'Brien stressed that, given the highly adaptive nature of the anopheles mosquito and the plasmodium, the single celled malaria parasite it carries, there could never be just one treatment.
There were no "magic bullets", said O'Brien, and in order to lessen the risks of the mosquito and the plasmodium developing resistance, "you have to use all the weapons in the arsenal".
Representatives of the Swiss-based drug company Novartis have been in discussions with the Health Ministry to supply its anti-malarial drug, Coartem. This drug is an artemisinin compound, made from sweet wormwood, a plant grown in China. Coartem was described in a study published in 2005 in the respected medical journal "The Lancet" as "the most effective treatment for malaria in children in Africa where resistance to conventional drugs is high".
Mozambique is committed to switching to Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT), and phasing out the previous drugs such as fansidar. However, O'Brien argued against the Health Ministry putting all its eggs in one basket.
"Coartem is proving to be a great success", he said. Nonetheless, reliance on any one drug risked the reappearance of drug resistance. O'Brien believed a case could still be made for quinine-based drugs to treat intermittent malaria among pregnant women.
Similarly the spraying programmes to eliminate mosquitoes should not rely on just one type of insecticide. O'Brien believed that programmes were likely to be more effective using a variety of drugs and insecticides.
O'Brien also met on Monday with the country's First Lady, Maria da Luz Guebuza, and discussed the "Malaria-Free Children" campaign run by her office. On Tuesday he will look at the Malaria Consortium's work in the northern province of Nampula. (AIM) pf/
O'Brien is a member of the British Conservative Party, and is Shadow Minister of Health. He has been campaigning against malaria for 30 years, and told AIM that, as a member of parliament, he has "a platform for speaking out on a disease that kills a child in Africa every 30 seconds".
O'Brien, who also heads the all-party parliamentary group on malaria in the British House of Commons, said it was "very important to cement the political will to use donor taxpayer money on things that work and make a difference".
He regarded malaria control as falling into that category. Tackling malaria, he said, was "one of the best ways of bringing down child and maternal mortality rates".
On Monday morning, O'Brien met with Mouzinho Saide, the National Director for the Promotion of Health and Disease Control, the Health Ministry department responsible for the malaria control programme. He was "pleased that the Ministry recognises malaria as a major priority".
Of all the diseases that strike the Mozambican population, malaria remains the largest single killer. About six million cases of malaria are diagnosed in Mozambique a year, and 4,000 people a month are known to die of the disease. These figures are likely to be underestimates, since they do not include people suffering from malaria who are unable to reach a health unit.
Asked his views on treatment and prevention, O'Brien stressed that, given the highly adaptive nature of the anopheles mosquito and the plasmodium, the single celled malaria parasite it carries, there could never be just one treatment.
There were no "magic bullets", said O'Brien, and in order to lessen the risks of the mosquito and the plasmodium developing resistance, "you have to use all the weapons in the arsenal".
Representatives of the Swiss-based drug company Novartis have been in discussions with the Health Ministry to supply its anti-malarial drug, Coartem. This drug is an artemisinin compound, made from sweet wormwood, a plant grown in China. Coartem was described in a study published in 2005 in the respected medical journal "The Lancet" as "the most effective treatment for malaria in children in Africa where resistance to conventional drugs is high".
Mozambique is committed to switching to Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT), and phasing out the previous drugs such as fansidar. However, O'Brien argued against the Health Ministry putting all its eggs in one basket.
"Coartem is proving to be a great success", he said. Nonetheless, reliance on any one drug risked the reappearance of drug resistance. O'Brien believed a case could still be made for quinine-based drugs to treat intermittent malaria among pregnant women.
Similarly the spraying programmes to eliminate mosquitoes should not rely on just one type of insecticide. O'Brien believed that programmes were likely to be more effective using a variety of drugs and insecticides.
O'Brien also met on Monday with the country's First Lady, Maria da Luz Guebuza, and discussed the "Malaria-Free Children" campaign run by her office. On Tuesday he will look at the Malaria Consortium's work in the northern province of Nampula. (AIM) pf/
September 24, 2007
National Aids Commission: AIDS could "wipe-out" Lesotho
Teboho Senthebane, South Africa
The Chief Executive of the National Aids Commission, Keketso Sefeane, speaking at a local workshop in Lesotho recently, declared HIV/AIDS has the potential to "wipe-out" the whole country. According to Sefeane, the disease's impact on Lesotho's work force, including the loss of skills and experience, decreases economic productivity and hinders the sustainable delivery of goods and services to the country's population.
Also the lack of physicians in Lesotho are adding to the problem - children are particularily affected. With mother to child transmission rates still at a high of 37%, the estimated 18,000 HIV+ children are served by a mere six pedatricians. In addition, the shortage of medical workers has complicated efforts to administer antiretroviral drugs under the project led by the Clinton foundation and Lesotho's Baylor clinic.
Two weeks ago former UN envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis, was invested as a "Knight Commander of the Most Dignified Order of Moshoeshoe", the country's highest honour, for his work in Lesotho during his five-year stay. When Lewis first arrived, less than 3000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Lesotho had access to antiretroviral drugs. Now, 24,000 HIV+ citizens have access to antiretrovirals. It is expected that this will rise to over 300,000 by the end of this year. Lewis is credited for making this possible by persuading international organisations to work in Lesotho.
The Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report (7/13), says an estimated 29,000 new HIV cases occured in Lesotho in 2007, bringing the total number of cases to more than 270,000.
The Chief Executive of the National Aids Commission, Keketso Sefeane, speaking at a local workshop in Lesotho recently, declared HIV/AIDS has the potential to "wipe-out" the whole country. According to Sefeane, the disease's impact on Lesotho's work force, including the loss of skills and experience, decreases economic productivity and hinders the sustainable delivery of goods and services to the country's population.
Also the lack of physicians in Lesotho are adding to the problem - children are particularily affected. With mother to child transmission rates still at a high of 37%, the estimated 18,000 HIV+ children are served by a mere six pedatricians. In addition, the shortage of medical workers has complicated efforts to administer antiretroviral drugs under the project led by the Clinton foundation and Lesotho's Baylor clinic.
Two weeks ago former UN envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis, was invested as a "Knight Commander of the Most Dignified Order of Moshoeshoe", the country's highest honour, for his work in Lesotho during his five-year stay. When Lewis first arrived, less than 3000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Lesotho had access to antiretroviral drugs. Now, 24,000 HIV+ citizens have access to antiretrovirals. It is expected that this will rise to over 300,000 by the end of this year. Lewis is credited for making this possible by persuading international organisations to work in Lesotho.
The Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report (7/13), says an estimated 29,000 new HIV cases occured in Lesotho in 2007, bringing the total number of cases to more than 270,000.
Articles on Health and Medical Journalism
Visit website and download articles on Health reporting
1. Criteria for excellence in health journalism
2. Commercialism in TV health news
3. Statement of principles for health care journalists
4. Beyond cures, breakthroughs and news releases
5. Ten Troublesome Trends in TV Health News
6. Time to put miracle on ice
7. 7 Words You Shouldn't Use in Medical News
8. Meteorology & Medical Reporting
9. Doctoring the News
Four new listserv members
Robert Mukondiwa, Features Journalist, Sunday Mail, Harare, ZimbabweRobert studied Journalism and Professional writing and completed a production internship in The UK before joining The Sunday Mail in Harare in 2003.
Yewande Iwuoha, Senior Reporter, Raypower FM (DAAR Communications), Lagos, NigeriaYewande has worked for the Republic Newspaper, The Punch Newspaper, This Day Newspaper, and in 1996 she joined DAAR Communications as a senior reporter.
Amanda Steane, Bedworth, UK
I am a speaker for the Hydration of patients. For the next twelve months, I am doing a "road show" with the RCN , for student nurses all around the UK. I am also the author of "Who Cares" a distressing story about care within the NHS.
Nankwanga Eunice Kasirye, Journalist, Kampala, Uganda
"I have been a radio journalist for six years, and endeavour to give a voice to the poor, the affected, and the infected. I am out-going, inquisitive, and self-motivated."
I am a speaker for the Hydration of patients. For the next twelve months, I am doing a "road show" with the RCN , for student nurses all around the UK. I am also the author of "Who Cares" a distressing story about care within the NHS.
Nankwanga Eunice Kasirye, Journalist, Kampala, Uganda
"I have been a radio journalist for six years, and endeavour to give a voice to the poor, the affected, and the infected. I am out-going, inquisitive, and self-motivated."
Job: Communications Specialist - Washington, DC
Institute for Reproductive Health (IRH), Georgetown University School of Medicine
The incumbent will support the Institute's efforts to strengthen the productivity and technical quality of written communications. S/he must have a Bachelor's degree in communications, English or journalism and five years of experience in communications.
http://www.comminit.com/vacancy3213.html
Contact irhresumes@gmail.com
The incumbent will support the Institute's efforts to strengthen the productivity and technical quality of written communications. S/he must have a Bachelor's degree in communications, English or journalism and five years of experience in communications.
http://www.comminit.com/vacancy3213.html
Contact irhresumes@gmail.com
Distance training program teaches Web site production
Free Website production training
The Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) is hosting a 12-week, online course on the basics of producing Web sites.
Application deadline: October 1. http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=162896962&u=1606944
The Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) is hosting a 12-week, online course on the basics of producing Web sites.
Application deadline: October 1. http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=162896962&u=1606944
Apply for Health reporting fellowships
Fellowship on HIV/AIDS reporting
Panos South Asia is offering two fellowships to research and produce television features about AIDS and HIV in India. The last day to apply for the fellowship is September 30.
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=161573377&u=1590387
Mini-fellowships on Global Health issues
Starting September 2007, the Kaiser Media Fellowships Program is launching a new program for reporting on global health issues. The program will award up to ten mini-fellowships to print, radio, television, and online journalists (including freelancers) to research and report on global health issues, with a particular focus on issues related to HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria.
http://www.kff.org/mediafellows/minifellows.cfm
Panos South Asia is offering two fellowships to research and produce television features about AIDS and HIV in India. The last day to apply for the fellowship is September 30.
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=161573377&u=1590387
Mini-fellowships on Global Health issues
Starting September 2007, the Kaiser Media Fellowships Program is launching a new program for reporting on global health issues. The program will award up to ten mini-fellowships to print, radio, television, and online journalists (including freelancers) to research and report on global health issues, with a particular focus on issues related to HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria.
http://www.kff.org/mediafellows/minifellows.cfm
Job: Resident Journalism Advisor Needed
Internews Network is currently seeking a Resident Journalism Advisor to be based in Chad. The Resident Advisor would set-up a training centre and provide training to local journalists and managers from community radio stations from various locations in the country.
Required: Minimum of 6 years of journalism experience, of which at least 4 years must be in radio; experience training/mentoring working with journalists or journalism students; extensive experience packaging radio reports with natural sound using digital editing programs (Adobe Edition/Cool Edit Pro); Fluency in French or Arabic; Experience living and working in Africa; Experience supervising staff; Strong interpersonal skills and sensitivity to cross-cultural dynamics in the workplace; Budget management and financial oversight experience; Ability to travel extensively within Chad; Must be computer literate; Relevant University Degree Please submit your Development Executive Group profile by clicking on the green button entitled ?Apply for this Job?. If you do not have a profile on our site, you may send your CV via email to Ms. Marion Grossmann at marion.grossmann@developmentex.com.
Please reference the job title in the subject of your email. The closing date for applications is Thursday September 27, 2007.
Required: Minimum of 6 years of journalism experience, of which at least 4 years must be in radio; experience training/mentoring working with journalists or journalism students; extensive experience packaging radio reports with natural sound using digital editing programs (Adobe Edition/Cool Edit Pro); Fluency in French or Arabic; Experience living and working in Africa; Experience supervising staff; Strong interpersonal skills and sensitivity to cross-cultural dynamics in the workplace; Budget management and financial oversight experience; Ability to travel extensively within Chad; Must be computer literate; Relevant University Degree Please submit your Development Executive Group profile by clicking on the green button entitled ?Apply for this Job?. If you do not have a profile on our site, you may send your CV via email to Ms. Marion Grossmann at marion.grossmann@developmentex.com.
Please reference the job title in the subject of your email. The closing date for applications is Thursday September 27, 2007.
August 23, 2007
Job: Director of Programs and Administration
Developing Radio Partners (DRP) Washington, DC.
The post holder will plan and prepare both competitive bids and unsolicited proposals for global radio projects. S/he will have 2 plus years experience with project design, grant management, proposal development, and budgeting.
http://www.comminit.com/vacancy3204.html
The post holder will plan and prepare both competitive bids and unsolicited proposals for global radio projects. S/he will have 2 plus years experience with project design, grant management, proposal development, and budgeting.
http://www.comminit.com/vacancy3204.html
Job: Senior Development Manager, UK
The Institute for War and Peace Reporting, London
The successful candidate will build and manage the institutional grant programme and design and implement cultivation and stewardship strategies to establish an individual donor base.
http://www.comminit.com/vacancy3174.html
The successful candidate will build and manage the institutional grant programme and design and implement cultivation and stewardship strategies to establish an individual donor base.
http://www.comminit.com/vacancy3174.html
You could be an award winning journalist...
Awards honouring AIDS reporting
In Bangladesh, a cash prize of BDT15,000 (about US$220) each will be awarded to 12 investigative features on HIV and AIDS.
Final entry deadline: November 20, 2007
More details
In Bangladesh, a cash prize of BDT15,000 (about US$220) each will be awarded to 12 investigative features on HIV and AIDS.
Final entry deadline: November 20, 2007
More details
Global Health Awards Open for Nominations
The prestigious $1m Gates Award for Global Health
Deadline: Oct. 31, 2008
more
Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health & Human Rights
Deadline: Jan. 31, 2008
more
Excellence in Media Award
Deadline: Feb. 1, 2008
more
Best Practices in Global Health Award
Deadline: Feb. 15, 2008
more
Training Manual: Avian Influenza Media workshops
With lives and livelihoods potentially at risk, there is an imperative for journalists to get and communicate accurate information on bird flu. This is often no easy task, especially for reporters not used to covering public health. UNICEF 2007Download pdf file (1.6 Mbs)
Report: AIDS Psudeo-Science in the Media
What ethical obligations do editors have when reporting claims that are contrary to well established scientific knowledge? Essay examines media's responsibility and impact.
Nathan Geffen, 2007
Download pdf file (206kbs)
Nathan Geffen, 2007
Download pdf file (206kbs)
Health and Media conference/ meeting?
Mtangilwa O. Ngwada, Dar es salaam, Tanzania
After seeing the latest list of health and media listserv members, now 376 from 59 countries, I think it would be a good idea to arrange some sort of conference or meeting for further networking and exchange of ideas and views.George Chomba, Deputy News Editor, Zambia Daily Mail
I didn't realise how fast the "family" was growing. I wonder what would happen if we had a media briefing together.
After seeing the latest list of health and media listserv members, now 376 from 59 countries, I think it would be a good idea to arrange some sort of conference or meeting for further networking and exchange of ideas and views.George Chomba, Deputy News Editor, Zambia Daily Mail
I didn't realise how fast the "family" was growing. I wonder what would happen if we had a media briefing together.
16 new listserv members makes 392
Colin Lloyd, Health and Media listserv moderator/ editor, South Africa
I was glad to hear that the detailed list of our members was received with interest. It's already out of date however, as 16 more members have added their names to our network (now 392 members).
I was glad to hear that the detailed list of our members was received with interest. It's already out of date however, as 16 more members have added their names to our network (now 392 members).
New listserv members:
USA: Eric Johnson, Senior Advisor, Internews Network, and Executive Director, Internews International. Eric has 15 years experience working in international assistance projects in the field of democracy and governance in countries in transition in Europe, Eurasia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Haiti: Edner Boucicaut, Chief Communication Officer, Cecosida, Port-au-Prince
"I'm a journalist working in the field of communication on HIV for more than 8 years, "Cecosida" is a journalist and media association."
Kenya: George Odhiambo Ochieng, Reporter, Kenya Times Media, Nairobi
"I am joining this Commonwealth group so I can pass on good programmes to the public - especially in African rural villages where more information on health issues are needed!"
Australia: Marama Qufi, Public Health Department, Melbourne
"I am of Oromo-African background, currently studying health science and working in the health field."
Nigeria: Sele Eradiri, Manager: news/current affairs, Nigerian Television Authority, Lagos
"I have been working as a Broadcast journalist for the past 20 years and with the Nigerian Television Authority. I am involved in reporting health issues - HIV/AIDS, Gender Issues, and Malaria."
Bangladesh: Abu Tareq Muhammad Salahuddin, Manager, Star Health, The Daily Star, Dhaka
http://tareqsalahuddin.tripod.com
Uganda: Esther Nakkazi Special Correspondent The East African Newspaper Kampala
Nigeria: Zacheaus Oluseye Ojoola, CEO, His Anointed Media Company, Lagos
Lithuania: Lina Lileikiene, journalist, Lietuvos Rytas, Vilnius
Uganda: Hillary Bainemigisha, Health Editor, The New Vision Newspaper, Kampala
Australia: Zoe Carter, Editor, OUT in Perth
Guyana: Neil Marks, Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
Cambodia: Clare Goff, Technical Advisor, Health Messenger, Phnom Penh
USA: Kammerle Schneider, New York
Canada: Alison Penman, Vancouver
August 02, 2007
More positive health messages on TV in Pakistan
Nayyer Rubab, Sr Creative manager, HUM TV, Eye television network- Pakistan
Recently, we have developed more programs aimed to bring about awareness of positive health messages. One such programme we have added is live "on air" consultation sessions with doctors. Here, viewers can directly interact and ask questions to the experts from all corners of Pakistan. We did these for TB day, Asthma Day, for polio and health day as well. We have also incorporated some of this material into our public service announcements. We start airing these messages today, for world breastfeeding week.
Recently, we have developed more programs aimed to bring about awareness of positive health messages. One such programme we have added is live "on air" consultation sessions with doctors. Here, viewers can directly interact and ask questions to the experts from all corners of Pakistan. We did these for TB day, Asthma Day, for polio and health day as well. We have also incorporated some of this material into our public service announcements. We start airing these messages today, for world breastfeeding week.
July 30, 2007
Facing the Challenges of HIV/AIDS
Kh. Zahir Hossain, M & E Specialist (BWSPP), The World Bank, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Around the world, more than 47 million people are now infected with the HIV/AIDS, It is now a weapon of mankind destruction. It has killed more than 30 million people worldwide according to UNAID and WHO reports since the 1st of December 1981 when it was first recognized. This makes it the worst recorded pandemic in the history of pandemics against mankind. In 2006 alone, it was reported to have killed between 2.5 to 3.5 million people with more than 380000 as children. The large number of these people killed is from the sub Saharan Africa. In some Sub-Saharan African countries, HIV/AIDS is expected to lower life expectancy by as much as 25 years.
AIDS is no longer a problem of medication. It is a problem of development. It is not just an individual hardship. It also threatens to decimate the future prospects of poor countries, wiping away years of hard-won improvements in development indicators. As a result of the disease, many poor countries are witnessing a worsening in child survival rates, reduced life expectancy, crumbling and over-burdened health care systems, the breakdown of family structures and the decimation of a generation in the prime of their working lives.
Bangladesh's socio-economic status, traditional social ills, cultural myths on sex and sexuality and a huge population of marginalised people make it extremely vulnerable to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Everyone buying sex in Bangladesh is having unprotected sex some of the time, and a large majority don’t use condoms most of the time. Behaviors that bring the highest risk of infection in Bangladesh are unprotected sex between sex workers and their clients, needle sharing and unprotected sex between men.
Though the country overall has a low prevalence rate, it has reported concentrated epidemics among vulnerable population such as IDUs. There are already localized epidemics within vulnerable groups in, and the virus would spread among the IDUs’ family or sexual partner.
In many poor countries, commercial female sex workers are frequently exposed to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs/STDs). Where sex workers have poor access to health care and HIV prevention services, HIV prevalence can be as high as 50-90%. Evidence shows that targeted prevention interventions in sex work settings can turn the pandemic around.
Bangladesh is a high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, particularly among commercial sex workers; there are available injection drug users and sex workers all over the country, low condom use in the general population. Considering the high prevalence of HIV risk factors among the Bangladeshi population, HIV prevention research is particularly important for Bangladesh. It is very awful, several organization in Bangladesh are working only to prevent HIV/AIDS but few of them like as ‘Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation’ try to develop proper strategic plane, so should increase research based organization recently.
Poverty in Bangladesh is a deeply entrenched and complex phenomenon. Sequentially, the HIV/AIDS epidemic amplifies and become deeper poverty by its serious economic impact on individuals, households and different sectors of the economy. Poverty is the reason why messages of prevention and control do not make an impact on a vast majority of the vulnerable population.
Sources: World Bank, UNAIDS, UNICEF.
July 27, 2007
New listserv member from Uganda
Rebecca Birungi, Journalist, Mama Radio, Kampala, Uganda
I am currently working as a news reporter with Mama Radio, a women’s community radio station with a focus on promoting a greater understanding of health issues across Uganda, where I have worked as a volunteer since graduating from university five years ago. Although I report on a wide range of issues including politics and business the main focus of my journalistic activities is related to health issues, which I combine with my passion of radio.
In producing and presenting health programs I have covered issues such as HIV prevention, antiretroviral therapy, discordance results, environmental pollution and softer areas such as aromatherapy.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Makerere University in Uganda. Though I am dealing with public health issues from a communication strategy side. Currently Iam pursing a Masters degree in Public Health and Leadership at Mukono Christian University. The course in public health has enabled me to understand the dynamics of public health from a broader perspective so as to better apply my communication knowledge.
I also freelance with The Sunrise Newspaper by contributing articles on health, business among others. My experience in communication, I have learnt that for communication programs to succeed there is need for a thorough understanding of the various dynamics at play in people’s health and these can make a major contribution to the role of women in Ugandan society in building up civic society groups and activities.
In this respect, it is important to understand the dynamics and empirical facts underpinning behavioral patterns of communities and this is best done through research.
I am currently working as a news reporter with Mama Radio, a women’s community radio station with a focus on promoting a greater understanding of health issues across Uganda, where I have worked as a volunteer since graduating from university five years ago. Although I report on a wide range of issues including politics and business the main focus of my journalistic activities is related to health issues, which I combine with my passion of radio.
In producing and presenting health programs I have covered issues such as HIV prevention, antiretroviral therapy, discordance results, environmental pollution and softer areas such as aromatherapy.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Makerere University in Uganda. Though I am dealing with public health issues from a communication strategy side. Currently Iam pursing a Masters degree in Public Health and Leadership at Mukono Christian University. The course in public health has enabled me to understand the dynamics of public health from a broader perspective so as to better apply my communication knowledge.
I also freelance with The Sunrise Newspaper by contributing articles on health, business among others. My experience in communication, I have learnt that for communication programs to succeed there is need for a thorough understanding of the various dynamics at play in people’s health and these can make a major contribution to the role of women in Ugandan society in building up civic society groups and activities.
In this respect, it is important to understand the dynamics and empirical facts underpinning behavioral patterns of communities and this is best done through research.
Country's first HIV+ couple's son is HIV-
by Md Saiful Islam Shameem, Bangladesh’s national news agency, [BSS]
DHAKA, July 26 - The son of Bangladesh's first known HIV positive couple has been tested for the HIV virus and found to be negative. The couple, who publically announced their positive status before getting married in an effort to encourage other couples to be more open with their HIV status.
Born in 2005, the 30-month old boy is now fully safe and sound with a14- kilogram weight and a good body mass index (BMI), doctors said, disclosing the confirmed test report to BSS today, after hiding the preliminary ELISA (Enzime Linked Immunosorbent Assay)test report for almost a year.
The boy, whose name is synonymous to `fortunate', was given formula milk up to the age of two years to check mother-to-child transmission of the human immunodeficiency syndrome virus (HIV) from breast milk and being given normal food for last six months.
DHAKA, July 26 - The son of Bangladesh's first known HIV positive couple has been tested for the HIV virus and found to be negative. The couple, who publically announced their positive status before getting married in an effort to encourage other couples to be more open with their HIV status.
Born in 2005, the 30-month old boy is now fully safe and sound with a14- kilogram weight and a good body mass index (BMI), doctors said, disclosing the confirmed test report to BSS today, after hiding the preliminary ELISA (Enzime Linked Immunosorbent Assay)test report for almost a year.
The boy, whose name is synonymous to `fortunate', was given formula milk up to the age of two years to check mother-to-child transmission of the human immunodeficiency syndrome virus (HIV) from breast milk and being given normal food for last six months.
Before the birth of the boy, the mother was given anti-retroviral (ARV) therapy and nutritional food by an international NGO for a year during pregnency.
"My son is quite normal and healthy now, although we were afraid in the first two years because of his frequent illness from diarrhea, cold and fever," said the father of the boy, who got HIV infected during his overseas employment in the Middle East 14 years ago. He said they have taken all out precautions to minimize the risks of HIV transmission to child at the womb.
Physicians say there is a 33 percent possibility of transmuting HIV to baby at the infected mother's womb, but it can be minimized through nutritional support, precaution and proper drugs, which is expensive in the context of developing country like Bangladesh. A child can also be infected from mother during delivery and breast-feeding.
"I am lucky because I got every support starting from ARV to surgery to formula milk from my employing organization," said the proud mother, who once had lost all hopes and aspirations soon after she was diagnosed with HIV in 1999. The mother, who has a
low level of CD4 blood cell counts, now uses triovix of ARV, which is a combination of three drugs- lamivudine, nevirapine and ziduvudine.
Unlike the baby and his parents, all other people living with HIV (PLHIV) are not so fortunate. The wedding of the first couple have encouraged many to tie knots among their peers and give births to kids subsequently, but all are not fortunate to have prenatal and post natal care, scissoring delivery at good hospitals and ARV therapy, a drug that costs Taka 4,200 per month here.
Sources said at least 10 PLHIV couple has become parents after the birth of the boy (mr. fortunate), which drew the media attention in 2005, and five more women are expecting their kids by this year. However, the doctors and NGOs fear that if the trend continues in a poor setting like Bangladesh, the number of child HIV positive may go up.
A baby is a dream for every couple, said another PLHIV mother, who gave birth to a daughter six months ago without proper supports from any quarters. All positive women expect a child, she said, because children are the `candlelight in darkness' for a HIV positive people.
But PLHIV can seldom dare to opt kids due to fear of poverty, pregnancy complexities and future of the child, who might also become another PLHIV and would die after a certain period of time. A child from PLHIV mother is being tested for HIV after 18 months of age.
According to the government statistics, a cumulative total of 874 cases of HIV/AIDS have been confirmed and reported at hospitals as of 1st December 2006, the World AIDS Day. Out of them, 240 have developed AIDS and 109 have died already. But only over 100 of the total PLHIV have access to ARV through a generous arrangement of a private bank's corporate social responsibility (CSR), a new concept flourishing in Bangladesh.
The country has a low level of HIV prevalence (less than 1 percent) among general population, but virologists and interventionists fear the situation may explode anytime because of conductive socio-economic factors and high-risk behavior by injecting drug users (IDU), commercial sex workers (CSW), male having sex with male (MSM), and tansgenders.
There are also low levels of HIV and AIDS awareness; migration and trafficking; poverty gaps; low nutritional status; gender inequalities that place women and young girls at risk; and gaps in the healthcare delivery system. The government estimates the number of HIV/AIDS cases is 7,666 in Bangladesh, a number which others say much lower than the actual figure.
"My son is quite normal and healthy now, although we were afraid in the first two years because of his frequent illness from diarrhea, cold and fever," said the father of the boy, who got HIV infected during his overseas employment in the Middle East 14 years ago. He said they have taken all out precautions to minimize the risks of HIV transmission to child at the womb.
Physicians say there is a 33 percent possibility of transmuting HIV to baby at the infected mother's womb, but it can be minimized through nutritional support, precaution and proper drugs, which is expensive in the context of developing country like Bangladesh. A child can also be infected from mother during delivery and breast-feeding.
"I am lucky because I got every support starting from ARV to surgery to formula milk from my employing organization," said the proud mother, who once had lost all hopes and aspirations soon after she was diagnosed with HIV in 1999. The mother, who has a
low level of CD4 blood cell counts, now uses triovix of ARV, which is a combination of three drugs- lamivudine, nevirapine and ziduvudine.
Unlike the baby and his parents, all other people living with HIV (PLHIV) are not so fortunate. The wedding of the first couple have encouraged many to tie knots among their peers and give births to kids subsequently, but all are not fortunate to have prenatal and post natal care, scissoring delivery at good hospitals and ARV therapy, a drug that costs Taka 4,200 per month here.
Sources said at least 10 PLHIV couple has become parents after the birth of the boy (mr. fortunate), which drew the media attention in 2005, and five more women are expecting their kids by this year. However, the doctors and NGOs fear that if the trend continues in a poor setting like Bangladesh, the number of child HIV positive may go up.
A baby is a dream for every couple, said another PLHIV mother, who gave birth to a daughter six months ago without proper supports from any quarters. All positive women expect a child, she said, because children are the `candlelight in darkness' for a HIV positive people.
But PLHIV can seldom dare to opt kids due to fear of poverty, pregnancy complexities and future of the child, who might also become another PLHIV and would die after a certain period of time. A child from PLHIV mother is being tested for HIV after 18 months of age.
According to the government statistics, a cumulative total of 874 cases of HIV/AIDS have been confirmed and reported at hospitals as of 1st December 2006, the World AIDS Day. Out of them, 240 have developed AIDS and 109 have died already. But only over 100 of the total PLHIV have access to ARV through a generous arrangement of a private bank's corporate social responsibility (CSR), a new concept flourishing in Bangladesh.
The country has a low level of HIV prevalence (less than 1 percent) among general population, but virologists and interventionists fear the situation may explode anytime because of conductive socio-economic factors and high-risk behavior by injecting drug users (IDU), commercial sex workers (CSW), male having sex with male (MSM), and tansgenders.
There are also low levels of HIV and AIDS awareness; migration and trafficking; poverty gaps; low nutritional status; gender inequalities that place women and young girls at risk; and gaps in the healthcare delivery system. The government estimates the number of HIV/AIDS cases is 7,666 in Bangladesh, a number which others say much lower than the actual figure.
Media job at Medecins sans Frontieres, SA
Jean-Marc Jacobs, Medecins sans Frontieres, Belgium
Médecins sans Frontières, South Africa, is looking for a talented communications officer to help raise awareness of the work of MSF with core target audiences via generating positive coverage in South African media, with the aim of supporting the recruitment of SA field staff, fundraising activities, and to increase awareness of MSF’s work with regard to international humanitarian and medical issues.
For more details on the application process or to apply, please go to: http://healthandmedia.org/resources/jobs/msf.html
or contact Binwell Keshi, HR coordinator on office@joburg.msf.org or +27 76 6201 567
Médecins sans Frontières, South Africa, is looking for a talented communications officer to help raise awareness of the work of MSF with core target audiences via generating positive coverage in South African media, with the aim of supporting the recruitment of SA field staff, fundraising activities, and to increase awareness of MSF’s work with regard to international humanitarian and medical issues.
For more details on the application process or to apply, please go to: http://healthandmedia.org/resources/jobs/msf.html
or contact Binwell Keshi, HR coordinator on office@joburg.msf.org or +27 76 6201 567
July 07, 2007
Hot debate on HIV trasmission at Uganda meeting
By Pius Sawa Murefu, Kampala, Uganda
(Three items)
Hot debate on whether HIV/AIDS is an STI
Presenting a gender analysis of the Health Sector Strategic Plan 2 at Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala on 2nd July, during the launch of the revised National Action Plan on Women, an official from the ministry of gender, labor and social development, Crescent Turinawe, says some of the indicators of poor reproductive health are STI and HIV/AIDS. Here he pauses and emphasizes,
“You must know that HIV/AIDS is not a sexually transmitted infection”
It is time for questions and one member asks,
“I am Collins Juuko from central broadcasting Service Radio. You said HIV/AIDS is not an STI, and stopped there. You really left us in suspense. As a reporter, what will I tell my listeners when they hear that?”
The moderator, Mabuya Mubarak from the same ministry interjects,
“It is good that we have doctors here and other experts who will tell us whether AIDS is an STI or not. May be we go straight to doctor Josephine Kasolo, from the faculty of medicine at Makerere University.”
Doctor Kasolo, “I think it depends on how you look at it. It could be an issue of stigmatization that maybe AIDS should not be called an STI, because if you say so and so has AIDS, people may say wow she/he must have been sexually active. For a long time we have known that a disease like gonorrhea is passed on through sexual intercourse, but we hear of oral gonorrhea. That is against the law of nature!"
There is confusion in the hall and the microphone is passed on to the presenter.
Turinawe, “You know very well that the only way one can contract AIDS is through blood contact.”
Noooo. There are shouts of protest in the room.
“Yes let me tell you. Do you know that you can have sex with a person who is HIV positive and you don’t get it? But you cannot escape when you blood gets in contact? That is food for thought”.
But everyone is confused and there is murmuring allover. The moderator decides to stop the debate and moves on with other questions.
Another participant raises the issue of circumcision as a way of reducing infections among men. He argues that caution should be taken when preaching such a gospel lest men go on spree thinking they will not contract AIDS. Since the research was published, there have been an increased number of Ugandan men lining up at hospitals for circumcision.
Cervical Cancer. 100,000 women die each year in Uganda.
Dr. Nsubuga also working in the ministry of gender labor and social development revealed that one hundred thousand women die each year of cervical cancer in Uganda comparing the number to six coaster buses crashing with people every day.
The rate is alarming to an extend that government has started a pilot study of immunizing women against Human Papilloma Virus said to expose women to high risks of cervical cancer. Another research is going on at Naguru hospital in Kampala where girls are being followed up to establish the natural cause of cervical cancer.
The cancer is directly linked to HIV/AIDS, said Dr. Josephine Kasolo from the faculty of medicine at Makerere University. This is a new trend that needs to be addressed immediately. According to Dr. Kasolo cancer of the cervix used to appear in women above the age of thirty, but now even young girls are getting infected. Dr. Nsubuga said the exact cause of the cervical cancer just like cancer of the breast is not known but there is a link in the family history. He said there must be routine check because everyone is a potential cancer patient but the difference was time. Cancer, he said is the abnormal growth of normal cells in the body.
Mainstreaming gender in adolescent health
Reproductive health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease, in all matters related to reproductive health system and its function.
Sexuality for adolescent’s results in early pregnancies, vulnerability to STIs and poor health. The major contributor to this is the lack of information. In Uganda 211 out of 1000 girls give birth at teen age. High HIV/AIDS prevalence is among 15-19 years where girls are at 2.6 percent while boys are 0.3 percent.
This report revealed that poor health of women was due to; limited control over their sexuality, early marriages and pregnancies among adolescents, poor access to emergency health services, limited awareness about sexual rights and responsibility and capacity to enforce them and above all the inequalities in power relation at household level that affects women’s decision making on health issues.
It was observed that males involvement in maternal and child health care with reproductive health information will lead to improved family health through reduction in fertility rates.
June 14, 2007
Listserv members "secret handshake" [member email]
Sachia Ngutsav, from Radio Benue, in Nigeria, wrote in to ask if I could supply him with all the names and email addresses of all our 375 health and media listserv members.
After responding to say that I can not give out this information, he then replied,
"Why is there so much secrecy surrounding some of the participants at a forum such as this?"
So, after giving the subject more consideration I wrote:
Sachia,
I am glad you asked this question. Firstly, for obvious reasons, I will not be adding emails to the list I send out to members. This privacy is standard practice for group email lists.
However, not including names and job titles on the list may be taking things too far as there may be someone with whom you would like to contact; whereas, I can forward your email to him/her - giving the receiver the choice respond to your email directly.
What I would like to do is put this to our listserv members in our next update. Anyone who would like me to leave these details off the list can let me know.
So, fear not, we till try to steer clear of "secret handshakes", or bizarre initiation rituals involving dark cloaks, hot coals and large hats.
Thank you for your concern.
Colin Lloyd
Health and Media listserv moderator/editor
After responding to say that I can not give out this information, he then replied,
"Why is there so much secrecy surrounding some of the participants at a forum such as this?"
So, after giving the subject more consideration I wrote:
Sachia,
I am glad you asked this question. Firstly, for obvious reasons, I will not be adding emails to the list I send out to members. This privacy is standard practice for group email lists.
However, not including names and job titles on the list may be taking things too far as there may be someone with whom you would like to contact; whereas, I can forward your email to him/her - giving the receiver the choice respond to your email directly.
What I would like to do is put this to our listserv members in our next update. Anyone who would like me to leave these details off the list can let me know.
So, fear not, we till try to steer clear of "secret handshakes", or bizarre initiation rituals involving dark cloaks, hot coals and large hats.
Thank you for your concern.
Colin Lloyd
Health and Media listserv moderator/editor
June 13, 2007
Apply for journalism fellowship in the US [fellowship]
The Humphrey Fellowship Program offers a ten-month stay at a leading journalism college in the U.S. to study journalism and undertake professional affiliations at top U.S. news organizations.
The program includes financial support for studies, travel, workshops and seminars, a monthly stipend, funds for books and a computer subsidy.
Applicants should have a minimum of five years of substantial professional experience, limited or no experience in the U.S., and demonstrated leadership qualities and commitment to their communities. Most applicants have English skills and undergraduate degrees, but some exceptions are allowed. To apply: Contact the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy or the Fulbright Commission in your home country. Deadline: Varies by country, but usually June to September for the following year. Where: Humphrey Fellows from different professional fields are assigned to 15 different U.S. campuses. Most Humphrey journalists are assigned to the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, one of the top journalism programs in the U.S.
For more information: www.iie.org/pgms/hhh and www.journalism.umd.edu/humphrey
June 12, 2007
Welcome new listserv member from Rwanda
Welcome new listserv member, Helen Mwihoreze, a reporter from Kigali, who writes: "I'm a 25 year old female Rwandan journalist (diploma in mass communication) working at the Focus Newspaper in Kigali, Rwanda."
If you would like to join the Health and Media listserv, visit: www.healthandmedia.org/signup.html
If you would like to join the Health and Media listserv, visit: www.healthandmedia.org/signup.html
Reminder from Gambian radio producer [member email]
Mama Janneh, Producer, Gambia Radio and Television Services
[currently in the UK]
Hello everyone,
The summer is here and days are getting hotter by the minute. At this point in time, even though i am not in my country, I am aware of the fact that the rainy season is fast approaching and this is quiet a perfect time for mosquitoes to start breeding, I hope that anyone who may be in this situation is well prepared for action - i.e.: to prepare insectiside treated mosquito nets and and other effective methods available. Most significantly, for the health journalist, let's do our part in the area of sensitization.. I hope this makes sense wherever you may be. Until then, have a blissful summer.
Kind regards...
[currently in the UK]
Hello everyone,
The summer is here and days are getting hotter by the minute. At this point in time, even though i am not in my country, I am aware of the fact that the rainy season is fast approaching and this is quiet a perfect time for mosquitoes to start breeding, I hope that anyone who may be in this situation is well prepared for action - i.e.: to prepare insectiside treated mosquito nets and and other effective methods available. Most significantly, for the health journalist, let's do our part in the area of sensitization.. I hope this makes sense wherever you may be. Until then, have a blissful summer.
Kind regards...
June 09, 2007
Mass Media activities for polio communication [presentation]
This presentation gave an overview of mass media activities for polio communication in India at a national level. The rationale and approach behind the current media strategy centres on calls to action and date notification, which are directed toward the general public. Research surrounding the effectiveness of the mass media campaign has focused on 10 districts in Uttar Pradesh and all districts in Delhi. An active campaign to engage proactively with the media has yielded higher reach, booth compliance, and message recall, despite a persistence of negative media stories. Future considerations for India's mass media campaign include development of a quarterly plan of action and linking more closely with advocacy initiatives. Summary: http://www.comminit.com/evaluations/evaltagindia2007/evaluations-439.html
Full presentation [PDF]: http://www.comminit.com/pdf/PolioTAG_Delhi_Mar2007_MassMedia.pdf
Contact Gitanjali Chaturvedi, UNICEF India, gchaturvedi@unicef.orgMessage to HM listserv members
Just to let you know that we now have 373 Health and Media listserv members in 58 countries - 40 Commonwealth countries and 18 non-Commonwealth.
Most members are working radio, television, and print journalists and programme producers. Others are media house CEO's and Directors, with others representing media training organisations, health development organisations, government health ministries, and universities.
This is quite an amazing network of dedicated individuals who would like to improve the media's role in health communication... so, let's not waste this
opportunity to communicate: share your experiences, tell us your concerns, forward your regional health stories... perhaps you have a tough decision relating to ethics or...? lets talk...
Colin Lloyd
Health and Media listserv moderator/editor
PS: more stats.... we get appoximately 260 visits to the Health and Media
website every day. Our most popular section is "resources":
www.healthandmedia.org/resources.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 1 - Members from Commonwealth countries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUSTRALIA - BARBADOS- BOTSWANA - BANGLADESH - CAMEROON - CANADA - DOMINICA - FIJI - GAMBIA - GRENADA - GHANA - GUYANA - INDIA - JAMAICA - KENYA - LESOTHO - MALAWI - MALAYSIA - MALDIVES - MAURITIUS - MOZAMBIQUE - NAMIBIA - NIGERIA - PAKISTAN - PAPUA NEW GUINEA - SEYCHELLES - SIERRE LEONE - SOLOMON ISLANDS - SOUTH AFRICA - SRI LANKA - ST LUCIA - ST KITTS - ST VINCENT - SWAZILAND - TANZANIA - TRINIDAD - UAE - UGANDA - UNITED KINGDOM - VANUATU - ZAMBIA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 2 - Members from non-Commonwealth countries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afghanistan* - Benin - Belgium - Brazil - China* - Congo - Cote d'Ivoire -
East Timor - Egypt* - Ethiopia - Germany - Mali - Nepal - Senegal - Taiwan - USA - Zimbabwe* (* no organisations stated)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 3 - One or more members work at these following organisations:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>Australia
Sydney University
>>Barbados
Caribbean Broadcasting Corp.
>>Benin
La Novelle Tribune
Radio Planete 95.7FM
La Nation
>>Botswana
Botswana Press Assoc.
Dikgang (newspaper)
Mid-week Sun
Botswana Television
Botswana Radio
Botswana Guardian
Blur Image
>>Bangladesh
Sangbad Sangstha
Daily Samakal
The Independent
Daily Protham Alo
Jai Jai Din Newspaper
Daily Sangbad
NTV Television Ltd.
Bangladesh Betar
Daily Amar Desk
Daily Ittefaq
The New Nation
The Daily Inqilab
United News of Bangladesh
BSS Daily
Protham Alo
Blur Image
Center for Social Comm.
>>Belgium
Medecins Sans Frontiers
>>Cameroon
Radio Reine
Cameroon Radio and Tv
Assoc. for Social marketing
Oko Rural Radio
Mutations
The Post
The Nation Magazine
Eden Radio
The Guardian Post
The Chronicle
Le Messager
The Herald
ACMS
100% Jeune
La Nouvelle Expression
The Star Headlines
Radio Equinox
Magic FM Radio
Radio Maendeleo
Radio Bonne Nouvelle
Newsweek magazine
cameroon tribune
friends of the press ntwk.
Abakwa Radio
Cameroon association of Media Professionals
>>Canada
British Columbia Institute of Technology
>>Congo
Medias au Ruban Rouge
Radio Maendeleo
>>Cote d'Ivoire
Radio Adjame
Fraternite Matin
>>Dominica
Dominica Broadcasting Corp.
>>East Timor
Inter-news
>>Ethiopia
Agency France Press Crown
Publishing PLC
Ethiopian Volunteer Media Professionals Against AIDS
Daily Monitor
UN IRIN Educational Media Agency
FM Addis
Ethiopia Radio & Television
Community Radio Harari
Addis Admass Newspaper
Ethiopia Radio & Television
Ethiopian Television Agency
Kumneger Magazine
>>Fiji
Fiji Daily Post Ltd.
Fiji Broadcasting
>>Gambia
The Independent
Assoc. of Health Journalists
Gambia Radio and Television
Daily Observer Newspaper
Borikama Community Radio
The Gambia News and Report
Foroyaa Newspaper
Radio 1 FM
>>Germany
Ph Heidelberg
>>Grenada
Grenada Broadcasting Network
>>Ghana
Ghana Broadcasting Corp.
New Times Corporation
African Women's Development Fund
Africa Health Research Organization
>>Guyana
National Communications Network
>>India
Star News
Health and Lifestyle Magazine
Blur Image
Makhanlal Chaturvedi University
Press Trust of India
Charkha Development Communication Network
Calcutta Correspondence
Hindustan Times
Tarun Mitra Prabhat Khabar
The Pioneer
all india radio
Science Development Network
>>Jamaica
CVM Communications Group
>>Kenya
Kenya times
Capital FM Hope FM
Kenya broadcasting corporation
Kenya Television (KTN)
Kameme FM
Nation Media Group
Nation TV
Standard News
Kenya Ministry of Health
Kenya Times
People Daily news
Rights Feature Service
>>Lesotho
Lesotho TV
Radio Lesotho
>>Malawi
African Bible College
Capital FM
CFC Radio
MIJ 90.3 FM
Radio Nkhotakota
FM 101 Power
Radio Islam
Radio Maria
Daily Times
Nation Publication
Malawi News Agency Central
Malawi Broadcasting Corp
Trans-world Radio
Malawi Institute of Journalism
>>Malaysia
Asian-Pacific Institute for Broadcast Development
Malaysian AIDS Council
>>Maldives
tv maldives
>>Mali
Panapress
>>Mauritius
Mauritius Broadcasting
>>Mozambique
United Nations Population Fund
Zambeze Correio da Manha
ISPUStv
Notacias NewsRevista Tempo
Correio da Manh RTP
Expresso Radio Mo ambique
Atribuna FaxI. C.S.
R dio Mozambique
MISA Mozambique
Vista News
>>Namibia
Namibian Broadcasting Corp.
Business Day Magazine
Radio Benue
Ministry of Information
The Guide Newspapers
>>Nepal
SAMAY National Weekly
>>Nigeria
Business Day Magazine
Radio Benue
Ministry of Information
the Guide Newspapers
Hallmark Media
Nasarawa Broadcasting Service
Porzmarkt Enterprises
Nigerian Television Authority
>>Pakistan
MAG Weekly, Jang Group
Daily Express
Daily Times
PeruEl Peruano Newspaper
HUM TV
Pakistan Broadcasting Corp
eye television network
>>Papua new guinea
PNG fm rwanda
Tele - 10
>>Senegal
FamdevJade/ Syfia Sahell Ouest
>>Seychelles
Seychelles Broadcasting
>>Sierra Leone
African Standard/ SLAJ/HARA
>>Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corp.
Solomon Star Newspaper
PAOA FM radio
ZFM
Planned Parenthood Association
Adventist Development Relief Agency
Island Sun Newspaper
>>South Africa
Farmer's Weekly
Commonwealth Health and Media Partnership
South African Broadcasting Corp.
AETUS Medical
University of Cape Town
Open Systems Learning Education Trust
>>Sri Lanka
Upali Newspapers Limited
>>St Kitts
St Kitts Radio
>>St. Lucia
Radio St. Lucia
>>St Vincent
Ministry of Health and the Environment
>>Swaziland
Swazi Observer
Ministry of Health
Swazi Broadcasting and Information Services
Swazi TV
Swazi Television Authority
World Health Organisation
>>Taiwan
Public Television Service
>>Tanzania
Radio Uhuru
Radio Tanzania
Radio Tumaini
University of Tanzania
Independent Television Limited
Uhuru & Mzalendo News
The Guardian LTD
Habari Corporation
Tanzania Standard News
Majira Newspaper
Independent Television TVT
Agape TV Network TVZ
DTV Channel 10
New Vision
East Africa Standard
The People Newspaper
Togo Kyrielle Radio Tanzania
Zanzibar Heci
>>Trinidad
TV6
CNMG
>>UAE
National Rehabilitation Centre
>>Uganda
New Vision Newspaper
Radio Uganda
Giants Magazine
World Vision
Radio Sapientia
Teso 88.4FM
Malaria Consortium
>>United Kingdom
Commonwealth Broadcasting Association
Commonwealth Press Union
World Association of Christian Communication
Science Development Communication
Colourful Radio
Commonwealth Foundation
>>USA
University of Missouri
International Centre for Journalists
Ohio University
Kaiser Family Foundation
Centre for the Advancement of Health
University of Minnesota
Uganda American Sickle Cell Rescue Fund
unicef
>>Vanuatu
Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation
>>Zambia
Zambia Sunday Mail
Zambia Daily Mail
Radio Christian Voice
June 08, 2007
Latest Health News
Thai "Condom King" Wins Gates Health Award
A non-profit family-planning group founded by Thailand's "Condom King" has won the $1 million Gates Award for Global Health, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said on Tuesday.
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=145966231&u=1401865
China Shares Bird Flu Sample.
WHO China has shared human bird flu samples for the first time in more than a year, giving a boost to international efforts to track the deadly H5N1 virus and develop vaccines, the World Health Organisation said on Friday.
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=145966231&u=1401866
U.N. Urges HIV Testing for All Patients in Hard-Hit Nations
U.N. health officials on Wednesday called on nations with severe AIDS epidemics to offer routine, confidential HIV tests to all patients at health-care facilities in hopes of dramatically expanding the number of those who know they have the virus.
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=145966231&u=1401869
WHO Official Says Flu Pandemic "Almost Certain"
A flu pandemic is almost certain to occur in the long term, but the likelihood of a large-scale outbreak in the next few years is less clear, a World Health Organization official said on Thursday.
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=145966231&u=1401870
TB Patient Fled Ahead of Health Authorities
A man infected with a dangerous strain of tuberculosis fled across Europe to avoid detention, taking flight after flight to stay ahead of public health officials.
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=145966231&u=1401871
Abbott Fund Increases Commitment to Fight Against HIV/AIDS in Tanzania
Further deepening its commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa, Abbott Fund announced today that it is opening a new program office in Tanzania to manage its extensive HIV/AIDS philanthropic efforts and partnerships there.
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=145966231&u=1401872
WHO Calls for Massive Expansion in HIV Testing
Voluntary HIV tests should be offered to all patients attending clinics, for whatever reason, in countries where AIDS is widespread, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday.
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=145966231&u=1401873
Bush to Seek Extension of AIDS Effort
President to Ask for $30 Billion to Double U.S. Contribution.
http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=145966231&u=1401874
(Source: Global Health Council)
May 22, 2007
Avian Flu Communication Resources [website]
This online resource centre for pandemic avian influenza communication resources is a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP) and World Health Organization (WHO). The website provides access to communication products, tools, and resources to help users access information on how to prevent, contain, and respond to avian flu outbreaks. Communication resources available as part of the resource centre include: creative products, source materials, planning/training documents, links, and contacts. http://www.comminit.com/materials/ma2007/materials-3206.html
Join Health and Development discussion [online]
"Non-Material" Resources in Health and Development Communication
The Health e Communication website - http://www.comminit.com/healthecomm/ - is hosting a discussion with Dr. Benjamin Lozare (Associate Director, Center for Communication Programs, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University) beginning June 4 2007.
Nobel Prize winner Robert Fogel argues that inequality in the distribution of "non-material" resources such as vision of opportunity and work ethic is more severe and profound than the inequality of "material" resources. Drawing on these insights, Dr. Lozare asks whether health and development communication should focus more on the development of "non-material" and "spiritual" resources.
Join this Health e Communication discussion, as we explore the importance of "non-material" resources for development, ask why this is a neglected area, and exchange ideas about how health communicators can nurture and harness this important resource more effectively.
To register for this discussion go to:
http://forums.comminit.com/index.php?uber=5 and follow the instructions for registering to a forum.
Please note: if you are already registered to The CI forums, simply sign in using your CI Forums username and password, Edit your Profile, and click on the "Non-Material" Resources in Health and Development Communication Discussion to request participation from the moderators.
We hope you'll be able to join Dr. Lozare starting June 4th for this new Health e Communication discussion.
Communication in Malaria Control [paper]
Why Does It Matter? by Alison Dunn
This paper explores how community-level communication can engage the most vulnerable people - such as children under 5 years of age and women in the economically poorest communities in Africa - in strategies to prevent and treat malaria. It is based on the premise that current malaria control strategies rely predominantly on individuals and communities to take action to protect and treat themselves, such as by hanging insecticide-treated bed nets and (as is sometimes the case) impregnating them at timely intervals, often at the user's expense. Such strategies will only succeed, the author argues, if there is effective, contextual communication and genuine understanding around the causes, symptoms, and means of preventing and treating malaria. Communication approaches to malaria control that engage with local communities in participatory ways go beyond message delivery and social marketing and move toward a genuine exchange of understanding between agencies and local people as to what will work best in the local context. Dunn stresses that communication needs to be included in the process of malaria control from the initiation of activities, not as an afterthought or add-on. This means thinking strategically about communication from the planning stages through to implementation and evaluation.http://www.comminit.com/strategicthinking/st2006/thinking-1898.html
Latest Health News
(source: the Global Health Council)
World AIDS Vaccine Day, May 18th
Friday, May 18th, is "World AIDS Vaccine Day."
Experimental HIV Drug Delays Viral Onset
The most promising of the many experimental HIV vaccines in development will offer only limited immunity against the deadly virus, US government scientists said on Wednesday ahead of world HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=143187442&u=1373184
Zimbabwe: Reduce Maternal, Child Mortality
The shortage of nurses and midwives is threatening Zimbabwe and Africa's capacity to improve midwifery practice and attain the goal of reducing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=143187442&u=1373185
Get Real and Save Indian Youth from AIDS:
Official Banning sex education on the grounds that it offends Indian sensibilities puts young lives at risk and jeopardizes the fight against AIDS, a top official said. http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=143187442&u=1373186
Ghana: March to Raise Awareness of Women's Health and Reproductive Rights
Takes Off in Accra Today Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), the African Commission on Human Rights (ACHPR), and the Ministry of Justice, are organising the "March to Raise Awareness of Women's Health and Reproductive Rights in Africa." http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=143187442&u=1373187
Europeans Harden Opposition to Wolfowitz
European countries signaled on Wednesday they would resist any U.S. bid to keep World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz in place as the bank's board considered whether to endorse a report that found he broke bank rules. http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=143187442&u=1373188
Vaccine Grant to Protect Millions from Yellow Fever
More than 48 million people in West Africa will be immunized for yellow fever over the next four years under a new vaccine programme announced on Wednesday by the public-private GAVI Alliance. http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=143187442&u=1373189
Mosquito Bacteria Identified in Malaria Battle
Scientists in Italy say they have identified a potential weapon against malaria living inside the blood-sucking mosquitoes that spread the disease -- their internal bacteria. http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=143187442&u=1373193
WHO Tackles Bird Flu, Global Warming
The World Health Organisation is due to unveil new guidelines to protect people from the effects of climate change when its executive body, the World Health Assembly, holds its 60th annual meeting starting Monday. http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=143187442&u=1373194
Africa Still Lacks Safe Water Despite Strong Growth
Access to safe drinking water has not improved in Africa, especially the sub-Saharan region, despite several years of strong economic growth, the African Development Bank said on Sunday. http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=143187442&u=1373196
Sex Education Creates Storm in AIDS-Stricken India
Moves to bring sex out of the closet in largely conservative India have kicked up a morality debate between educators who say sex education will reduce HIV rates, and critics who fear it will corrupt young minds. http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=143187442&u=1373197
Asia to Test Injectable Drug for Bird, Human Flu
A new anti-viral drug to treat both bird and human flu, developed by U.S.-based BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, will be tested across Asia next month, the pharmacist involved in the trial in Hong Kong said on Monday. http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=143187442&u=1373198
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