Maseru — The media plays a vital role in shaping public perceptions, influencing community behaviour, and ensuring accountability in health and other sectors. Recognizing this, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Lesotho Ministry of Health, hosted a one-day dialogue with the media in Maseru under the theme “Reporting Health Right: Standing with Science.”
The meeting engaged journalists and key partners to strengthen capacity for accurate, evidence-based, and ethical health reporting.
In her opening remarks, Acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mats’oanelo Monyobi, highlighted the importance of collaboration and science in protecting health.
“World Health Day calls on people everywhere to stand with science and embrace the power of collaboration in safeguarding the health of people, animals, plants, and the planet,” she said. Monyobi stressed that effective communication is as important as technical expertise, noting that media training equips journalists to explain complex health issues clearly, responsibly, and persuasively.
WHO Representative to Lesotho, Dr. Innocent Nuwagira, highlighted the transformative impact of science and international collaboration on human health.
“Advances in technology, scientific knowledge, and cross-sector collaboration have turned once life-threatening conditions such as high blood pressure, cancer, or HIV infection into manageable health conditions, extending and improving lives worldwide,” he explained. Dr. Nuwagira urged journalists to counter misinformation with facts and to highlight the role of science in safeguarding humanity. “Your role is indispensable in bridging science and society. You are the storytellers who translate complex health information into messages that resonate with communities. You are the watchdogs who hold institutions accountable, ensuring transparency and trust.”
Acting Director of Health Services, Dr. Llang Maama, reinforced the theme of evidence-driven decision-making. “In Lesotho, this theme speaks directly to our daily work in the health sector
Standing with science means making decisions based on data, not assumptions, using research evidence to design health programmes, ensuring that policies are guided by what works, and strengthening trust between government, health workers, and communities. It also means we must actively fight misinformation and myths, which can negatively affect public health outcomes,” she said. Dr. Maama emphasized the need to fight misinformation and myths that undermine public health outcomes. “Science saves lives when it is trusted, communicated clearly, and applied consistently. In Lesotho, we are committed to ensuring that every major health decision is grounded in evidence.”
Beyond reporting, the meeting also introduced participants to WHO’s PRSEAH policy, highlighting the importance of safe, inclusive, and respectful work environments.
The event formed part of yearlong activities marking World Health Day 2026. The dialogue brought together journalists from across Lesotho to sharpen their skills in accurate health reporting, countering misinformation, and bridging the gap between science and society.
Media practitioners took the stage to highlight the critical role of accurate reporting in shaping public understanding and protecting the right to health. They warned that delays in accessing statistics and official responses during outbreaks force them to publish late or leave gaps that fuel rumours, eroding public trust. To strengthen transparency and responsiveness, they urged the Ministry of Health and WHO to designate dedicated media focal points, routinely publish health data, and commit to 24‑hour response targets during emergencies.
