African Malaria Day

African journalists meeting in Accra have formed a network specializing in reporting malaria research.

The African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) will create a common platform for African journalists and scientists to work together on efforts to eradicate malaria, which is the number one killer of children under five on the continent.

At least 300 million people suffer from acute malaria each year, often suffering lasting effects. Children aged under five, pregnant women and their unborn children and the elderly are the most vulnerable with about 3000 deaths a day.  

The network was one of the key outcomes of a one-week workshop on malaria research reporting for selected journalists from nine African countries  — The Gambia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania.

The workshop was organized by Women, Media and Change, a Ghanaian NGO, and funded by the Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance of INDEPTH- Network, an international network of field sites with continuous demographic evaluation of populations and their health in developing countries
  
AMMREN will focus on disseminating accurate information on malaria control initiatives. It will also monitor and advocate the implementation of malaria policies in African countries.

The network’s top priority will be training journalists to report effectively on malaria. This will develop in the long-term into a Malaria Media Institute, to be hosted by Women, Media and Change.

Membership of the network is open to African journalists interested in reporting on malaria. Scientists, malaria experts and community health workers can become associate members.

The network will also lobby and engage policy makers to implement international agreements on malaria control.

Though malaria can be prevented and is easily treated, said INDEPTH-Network Executive Director Professor Fred Binka, the disease continues to kill millions of African children each year.

Adults carry an immense disease burden arising from malaria, and this takes it toll on their productivity. Yet wiping malaria off the face of Africa continues to be hindered by myths among the people and inertia and lack of focus among leaders.

He told the workshop participants that there are useful lessons to be learnt from the strategies being used by those working to check the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Prof Binka asked the journalists to make a strong case for incorporating media strategies in efforts to control malaria in Africa. He pledged his organization’s support for initiatives that will equip journalists with the necessary tools in the fight against malaria. But such programmes, he added, should be a sustainable campaign rather than a one-time activity.