Health/Science

Jun 62012

First Pan-African Health Journalism Network Created

Bellagio, Italy—Journalists from across Africa announced the creation of the first continent-wide professional association of health journalists.

The new organization, the African Health Journalists Association, aims to improve the quality and quantity of reporting on health issues so that people across the continent can make healthy choices for their lives. The group’s media coverage will encourage the best possible public health programs and policies throughout the continent.

Africa Health Journalsts Network - Bellagio4

Knight Health Journalism Fellow Declan Okpalaeke, who has launched a new multimedia health section at This Day newspaper in Nigeria, will serve as the chairman of the new health journalism association.

Africa Health Journalsts Network - Bellagio3

The founding members of the new association and ICFJ President Joyce Barnathan gathered at Rockefeller Foundation's Bellagio Center in Italy.

Africa Health Journalsts Network - Bellagio2

Former Knight Health Journalism Fellow Zarina Geloo, who worked to improve health reporting in Zambia, will serve as vice-chair of the new association.

Africa Health Journalsts Network - Bellagio

Former Knight International Journalism Fellow Zarina Geloo, who worked to improve health coverage in Zambia, will serve as vice-chair for the new association.

Health Journalism Network - Bellagio

The steering committee met for four days the hundreds of tiny details needed to launch Africa's first continent-wide health association.

May 112012

Little Cause for Mother's Day Celebrations in Rural Mozambique

This weekend, as many nations prepare to celebrate Mother's Day, Mozambique released the figures from its latest demographic health survey. The figures show a climbing birth rate and -- particularly for women in rural areas -- limited access to maternity care or clean, well-equipped health clinics.

Salane Muchanga

Savana reporter Salane Muchanga (left), a trainee of Knight Fellow Sayagues, interviews a Maputo resident on health concerns.

May 32012

Behind the Numbers: Reporter Puts a “Face” on TB in Ethiopia

Reporting on tuberculosis (TB) has always been of particular interest to Tesfamichael Afework, one of the press officers at the Federal Ministry of Health in Ethiopia. He has done several stories about TB in the past, but not like this one. He is now compiling a story on the results of a nationwide population-based “TB Prevalence Survey” that aims to determine just how widespread the disease has been here in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia: TB Patient Bekelu

After she contracted tuberculosis, Bekelu Abate says her weight dropped from 130 pounds to just over 100. Now, following the government's treatment plan, she's put 12 pounds back on and is feeling better.