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.
September 30, 2007
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.
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