The World Well being Group (WHO) in partnership with the Authorities of Japan supported the Ministry of Well being and Social Providers (MoHSS) to conduct a three-day workshop in Swakopmund. Held from 09 – 11 September 2024, the workshop aimed to sensitize and orient the media on moral reporting on health-related issues together with selling diet, emergency response reporting, addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and Common Well being Protection (UHC). A complete of 15 journalists and media practitioners participated and have been keen to reinforce their understanding of well being reporting. The initiative is a part of MoHSS’s ongoing dedication to enhanced public well being consciousness and selling knowledgeable well being journalism.
As Namibia advances within the growth of its UHC coverage, it acknowledges the significance of equipping journalists with the data and expertise to report on UHC successfully. Offering this orientation is essential, because the media performs a significant position in shaping public understanding of well being insurance policies and companies. By correctly reporting on UHC, journalists can increase consciousness about its targets, comparable to guaranteeing that each one residents have entry to high quality healthcare with out monetary hardship.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Veronika Haimbili, a Public Relations Officer at MoHSS, underlined the significance of media engagement in well being discussions. She inspired members to actively have interaction in conversations all through the workshop, emphasizing that such interactions are very important for enhancing media protection and correct reporting within the well being sector. Ms. Haimbili highlighted that knowledgeable journalism not solely educates the general public but additionally holds well being authorities accountable, finally contributing to raised well being outcomes for all.
Journalists have been inspired to develop story concepts that align with upcoming well being initiatives, thereby fostering a proactive strategy to well being reporting. The discussions additionally addressed the recognized challenges confronted by journalists in protecting well being subjects, together with problems with sensitivity and the necessity for correct information illustration. To strengthen ongoing collaboration, a media calendar might be developed by MoHSS and WHO. The calendar will facilitate well timed media protection of main well being initiatives and occasions, guaranteeing that related data reaches the general public successfully.
All through the workshop, members engaged in shows and interactive discussions geared toward offering them with important expertise in moral reporting practices, information interpretation, and combating misinformation. The periods empowered media professionals to advocate successfully for crucial well being reforms, guaranteeing their contributions to public well being discourse are each impactful and accountable. Zinia Mbororo, a reporter from Radio Power, expressed her appreciation for the workshop, noting that it considerably enhanced her data of well being reporting. She said, “As Radio Power, we want to collaborate extra with MoHSS on public well being campaigns to succeed in a broader viewers”.
The workshop marked a big step in strengthening the connection between the well being sector and the media in Namibia.