Journalists review media’s role in multi-sectoral approach to fight against malaria.

It was organised by the National Malaria Control Programme, NMCP, and Impact Santé Afrique, ISA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication and AJC Pro Santé.

It was chaired by the Head of Communication at the Ministry of Public Health, Clavère Nkeng, in the presence of NMCP’s Head of Communication, Ngambe Oumarou. 

The Head of Communication for Development and Civic Education Unit at the Department of Public Internal Communication, Ministry of Communication, Noussi Jacinte Eugenie, was also present.

The meeting, which brought together over a score of media professionals, was an opportunity for them to discuss media coverage and communication support efforts for the fight against malaria in Cameroon, as well as to map out strategies to promote positive behavioural change amongst the population in favour of preventive and curative measures against malaria.

It was also an opportunity for the members of the working group to review actions and progress achieved by the group since its creation in April 2022.

While presiding over the event, the representative of health ministry saluted the engagement of the stakeholders, especially the media, in the fight against one of the deadly diseases, malaria. 

While acknowledging the challenge faced by journalists in handling, treating and disseminating information on health, notably malaria, he urged the participants to place special attention on preventive and curative measures against the disease.

On her part, the representative of the Ministry of Communication, Noussi Jacinte Eugenie, said media coverage in the fight against malaria in Cameroon was impressive.

She explained that since its launch, members of the working group have published over 300 malaria-related articles.

Noussi also hoped that government, through the ministries concerned, together with the working group and stakeholders, will make the needed impact in bringing down the prevalence of malaria in Cameroon. 

Media role in multi-sectoral fight against Malaria

In his presentation, Prince Nguimbous, member of the working group and journalist working with French language daily, Le Jour, briefed the participants on the expectations of journalists within the national multisectoral framework for malaria control in Cameroon.

The multisectoral framework, which aims to significantly reduce the burden of malaria in the country, requires the participation of several sectors, such as education, the environment, agriculture, infrastructure and governance, in order to tackle the various factors that contribute to the transmission and impact of malaria.

Laying emphasis on the role of the media group, he said they are expected to consolidate the national task force of media working against malaria, to raise the profile of multi-sectoral efforts to combat malaria, and work with private media to develop innovative tools and solutions for disseminating messages. 

He also pointed out the need to strengthen the capacity of media professionals so as to be able to better process information on the fight against malaria.

In her presentations, the Communication and PR officer of ISA, Segolene Moussala, emphasised that malaria remains a major public health problem in Cameroon, with about six6 million cases and 4,000 deaths registered annually. 

In this light, she said it is important to continually build the capacities of journalists and supporting advocacy and communication efforts towards malaria elimination in Cameroon.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3141 of Friday June 14, 2024