Health and Media listserv update
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Update 

  January 19, 2007

 "Thanks for all your emails..." 
 Email from:  Rosa Hamukuaja-Thobias, Namibia
"Let me first thank you for proving valuable information throughout the year. I�m glad to inform you that because of this, you�ve made my dreams true: through the information on this listserv, I applied and have now been accepted on the post-graduate media management course Rhodes University in South Africa."
 
Rosa, it seems such a long time ago (3 years now) that we did the Health and Media course up there in Windhoek but I'm pleased that you are still benefiting from our updates. Good luck with your studies, and let us know how you get on.

I would like to thank all those who emailed New Year's greetings to the listserv. Unfortunately, there were too many to include in this update - there would be no room for anything else!

Amadou Bah, an assistant producer at Gambia Radio and Television Services, has just sent in an unusual story about the Gambian president. When I first reviewed this news item, I actually thought that there was some kind of mistake, and perhaps there were a few words missing, or some, drastic, grammatical error, so, I did a bit of research, and lo and behold, it is true. You can read the email and link to the news item in Section 1, "your emails", below. Also, Ngehndab. from the Cameroon, has sent in some images and words examining the relationship between poverty, health and the environment.

I have also included a couple of interesting job offers (Section 3. Opportunities), along with the usual bits of health news, awards, scholarships, and various resources.
take care,
Colin Lloyd,
Health and Media listserv moderator and editor,
Cape Town, South Africa

>> Welcome to four new listserv members
Theresa Daniel, Ministry of Health and the Environment, Government of St. Vincent, St. Vincent (Caribbean)
Theresa writes:
I am a professional journalist with over twenty years experience in both the print and electronic media. I have worked in development communication over the last several years and recently assumed the position of Mass Communications Specialist with responsibility for National Aids Secretariat Mass Communication and Behaviour Change Programme among other duties. I am also doing research for my Doctorate in Media and Public Health.

Samuel Ofori, reporter, Ghana
Samuael writes:
Well, I am really happy about the health and media website and listserv. I hope its going to help me improve my health reporting. I have been a reporter for the Ghanaian Voice, The Punch and the DC focus, all news papers in my country. Currently, i am an online editor for www.gongonews.com

Nadia El-Awady, Science Editor, Egypt
Nadia writes:
'I've been working as a science journalist for the past seven years. I have a degree in medicine from Cairo University, and currently pursuing a masters in journalism from the American University in Cairo. I worked as a full time science editor with IslamOnline.net for many years, and have freelanced for several media organizations.

Marcie Shaoul, Commonwealth Foundation, London,  UK
Find out about the foundation here
1. Your emails

>> Member emails
Gambian President decides to treat HIV+ citizens
Amadou Bah, Assistant Producer, GRTS, Banjul, Gambia

Dear colleagues, happy new year to you all. I wish all of us a peaceful, happy, progressive and a memorable year. I highly value the resources and contributions on the health and media website. I had wanted to share with you few stories in the last week of 2006, but technology would not allow me. I have included a news item that I hope you find  interesting... I will keep you updated.
Read news item

More health stories now I am in charge
Paschal B. Bazonga, Radio Broadcaster, Uganda

My blessed 2007 wishes to all the listserv members. I am looking forward to a great year, since I believe I have had a good start already. This month I have been put in-charge of the News Room. My Editor is on leave so I have taken on his roles. I now hope to emphasize the coverage and airing of health related stories for the betterment of our community.

Cameroon journalist reports on environmental health hazards while on training course in South Africa
Ngehndab Delphine, Journalist , Cameroon

I was in South Africa November 2006 on a training course sponsored by Reuters Foundation on environmental reporting. I thought it necessary to send you some of the pictures I took in Kliptown, one of the oldest settlements in Soweto... images and article

Apply for CPU's Gordon Fisher Fellowship
Jane Rangeley, Training Manager, London, UK

The Commonwealth Press Union is now inviting applications for the Gordon Fisher Fellowship. This is an opportunity for a journalist from a developing Commonwealth country and working for a newspaper in membership of the CPU to spend an academic year at Massey College, Toronto University, Canada.
Application form and details: www.cpu.org.uk/fellowsh_gf.html
Deadline: 6 February, 2007
>> Non-member emails
Sickle Cell activist looking for medical research funds
J R Perry III, USA

I
'm a Activist for Sickle Cell and would like to share my articles on sickle cell with your readers. you can go to Google and type in: "J R Perry III Fighting the Sickle Cell Stigma" to find these articles.  I am also assisting a medical researcher here in U.S. who claims a cure for sickle cell.  I'm working with him to attract funding for further research. Do you know of any funding organisations I can approach?
Read article
2. Health News

S. Korea Confirms Human Bird Flu Infection
South Korea's disease control agency said Thursday it has confirmed a human infection of the avian influenza virus.
More

AIDS Drug to Protect Fetus Is Safe for Infected Mothers

Study Finds Women can take the anti-AIDS drug nevirapine to protect their unborn children without endangering their ability to undergo life-saving antiretroviral treatment later on.
More

Future Flu Pandemic Toll Could be "Very Scary"
The number of people that could die in a flu pandemic that matches the 1918-19 outbreak will be "very scary" and far higher than the 62 million deaths forecast by a recent study.
More

Breastfeeding and HIV

A prospective cohort study has found that HIV-positive Kenyan mothers who breastfed their babies had faster declines in CD4 cell count and body mass index than those who formula-fed. However, breastfeeding had no effect on viral load or overall mortality among the mothers after two years.
More

Malaria vaccine expected in 2011

Dr. Seth Owusu Agyei, Director of Kintampo Health Research Centre (KHRC) in the Brong Ahafo Region has stated that he is very hopeful that by the year 2011, the centre would have come out with a malaria vaccine RTS,S, which is currently going through clinical trials, for use in Ghana and across Africa to control malaria.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200701090730.html

Latest World Health Headlines
Latest HIV/AIDS Headlines
Latest Malaria Headlines
Latest News from World Health Organisation
3. Opportunities

Position offered in new SA media diversity centre:
Knowledge Management Advisor
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

The successful applicant will be expected to work with media training institutions in mainstreaming gender in media training as part of the creation of the Gender and Media Diversity Centre. S/he must have a Masters degree in media studies or equivalent qualification.
http://www.comminit.com/vacancy2979.html
admin@genderlinks.org.za

Bi-Lingual press freedom coordinator needed in NY

Africa Programme Coordinator
Location: New York City, NY, United States
This organisation is seeking a coordinator who will oversee press freedom advocacy in sub-Saharan Africa. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in Africa, a deep knowledge of regional press issues and experience as an advocate. Fluency in French is essential.
http://www.comminit.com/vacancy2977.html
jobs@cpj.org

Journalist position available at UNAIDS
Senior writer/ editor
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
The incumbent will provide specialist writing and editorial expertise for the development of web articles, e-newsletters, and other web related information. S/he must have at least 8 years of experience in journalism, advocacy and/or public information.
http://www.comminit.com/vacancy2989.html

IWMF Courage in Journalism Awards and Lifetime Achievement Award
The International Women�s Media Foundation (IWMF) is seeking nominations from around the world for its 2007 Courage in Journalism Awards and Lifetime Achievement Award. The Courage in Journalism Awards honor women working in the news media who have demonstrated extraordinary strength of character in pursuing their profession under difficult or dangerous circumstances.
Deadline: March 15, 2007
Information and forms

Apply HIV/AIDS conference scholarships

Journalists interested in HIV/AIDS can apply for a scholarship to attend the 3rd South African AIDS Conference. The scholarship covers the registration fee only. All applicants must be able to cover their travel, accommodation and living costs independently.
Deadline: January 31
http://www.sa-aidsconference.com
4. Resources and links

Panos radio programme: "Against the Odds"
Radio feature programme download:
We hear how some twelve thousand people living with H-I-V and AIDS in Pakistan are in need of antiretroviral therapy, yet only two percent can afford it and that too at a high cost.
Details and download

 
 

CONTENTS


1.  Your emails

2.  Health News

3.  Opportunities

5.  Resources

TRANSLATIONS


Fr

 

Francais

Pg

Portuguese

images


Artemisia plant

WHO/Stephenie Hollyman

In short supply, Artemisia annua, used in the production of highly effective anti-malaria medicine was formerly grown only in China and Viet Nam, but in 2004, a development initiative started a project aimed at helping farmers in the United Republic of Tanzania grow the plant.

Full WHO photo essay

sources


Some of the information provided in the Health and Media Listserv update is sourced from the following organisations:

Int'l Centre for Journalists

The Communication Initative

Global Health Reporting

Pambazuka News

Medical News Today

Reuters

BBC News

Harvard World Health News

All Africa News

Global Health Council

World Health Organisation

The Malaria Journal

 



For more on this listserv including more on listserv members and contact info: www.healthandmedia.org