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MAY 8, 2007 CONTENTS 1. Your emails 2. Health news 3. Opportunities 4. Resources 5. Awards LISTSERV ONLINE Online version Pdf version Health + Media website Listserv Archives
 Francais  Portuguese PDF DOWNLOADS Gobal TB Control ReportThis is the 11th WHO annual report on global TB control. March 2007 IMAGES
Some of the information provided in the Health and Media Listserv update is sourced from the following organisations: Int'l Centre for Journalists 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| I can also update the site a lot easier and faster. This means your emails can be uploaded onto the site as soon as I receive them ... the new site isn't quite ready yet.. but soon. The "pineapple HIV myth" seemed to mentioned in the last listserv update seemed to provoke some comments - I've included one or two below. There is a lot of information packed into this update so, have a quick skim over the headlines and see if there is anything you can use. Welcome to two new listserv members: Joel Changalucha, a clinician at a private hospital in Mwanza, Tanzania, and Ravin Bacchoo, the Deputy Director-General of the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation. Colin Lloyd Health and Media listserv editor/moderator Cape Town, South Africa www.healthandmedia.org | |||||||||||||||||||||||
1. Your emails Lesotho's plan to reduce new HIV infections Teboho Senthebane, producer, South Africa The Lesotho government has launched a four-year plan to reduce new HIV infections among children by 50 percent and ensure that all HIV-infected children have access to life-prolonging antiretroviral (ARV) treatment... read more Identified with "Killer Pineapples" Moumita De Das, print journalist, Calcutta, India I was moved to read the story 'Killer pineapples on the loose'. Actually, I can identify with this because these things do happen often in the third world countries, even in India. People generally tend to take issues so lightly that the question of credibility becomes just a farce. I am sending you one of my interesting articles, which is somewhat different. Hope you would like it, and happy Bengali New Year. HIV care centres proving successful in PNG Titi Gabi, Radio Reporter, Papua New Guinea On the local front there has been encouraging development on the recently introduced VCT (HIV/AIDS care centres) concept. We did a check with some centres based in Port Moresby and the results are encouraging. One particular Centre reports seeing about ten students a day - apparently, most show up with their friends to take an HIV test. In addition, about 10 working adults are making appointments and dropping in every day. Work is still needed on taking this programme to the villages where roads and bridges do not exist but, I know we will get there with all the right guidance and support from everyone who cares to respond to this epidemic. Re: the boy who ate a pineapple and came down with AIDS: I check out specious information on . Y'just type in a few words and up pops any current info on the scam, legend, or whatever. Gambia recognises Malaria Day with a march Yusupha Bojang, Gambia The Gambia had joined the rest of the world on the 25th April, this year, to celebrate Africa Malaria Day. In the Mam-Merfana in the Centrale River Region there was a "march" that included participation by NGOs, Schools, and various youths groups. TB Day: a Zambian perspective Violet Mengo, Reporter, Zambia Daily Mail I have fowarded this feature for TB and I hope it would be of importance. Tuberculosis is one illness that has spread to all the nine provinces in Zambia and the Ministry of Health is fast extending coverage of its programme. In its shadow, drug resistance is upping the pace. Is there anything awry with the response to TB or has the time come to re-strategise the way TB is being tackled? Read full article 2. Health News Bird Flu Hits Ghana The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported the first outbreak of bird flu in More African States urged on HIV policies Researchers have challenged African governments to implement policies and study recommendations on the fight against HIV/Aids. The more than 500 experts attending a seminar on HIV/Aids in Kisumu, Kenya, criticised governments for weak health structures. Participants said poverty remains a hindrance in the war against the disease and urged leaders to implement findings of various studies. The concerns were raised during a plenary session on Innovations in Access to HIV/Aids Prevention Services. More HIV + people ignored in prevention campaigns HIV/AIDS prevention programmes in Africa are failing to include people living with the virus, despite the fact they are vulnerable to reinfection and could, unless properly informed, transmit the virus to others. More Counselling works on HIV and alcohol risks Researchers have found that a single counselling intervention that includes an exploration of the risk of alcohol use in sexual contexts may have an impact on HIV prevention by reducing sexual risk behaviours. The study is published in the 15 April edition of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. Considerable evidence exists that alcohol use contributes to the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. More Reaching out to female sex workers Esselen Street Clinic, in Johannesburg's edgy, bustling inner-city suburb of Hillbrow, houses the only health centre in Johannesburg offering medical care aimed at sex workers. Business is brisk: at 8am the first clients are waiting outside the door of nurse Tryphina Matsena, who dispenses treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). More `Very high risk` of M to F HIV transmission In sub-Saharan Africa, young women are at high risk of HIV infection, with a prevalence of 21 per cent among 21 year-olds recently reported from South Africa. Now, the same team of US and South African scientists report that this prevalence occurs in young women with few lifetime partners, suggesting a much higher rate of male-to-female transmission than previously reported. The researchers report their findings in the 23 April edition of AIDS. More Women have significantly better response to HIV therapy than men Women have a significantly better response to HIV treatment than men say the Spanish authors of the latest big study into gender bias in HIV outcomes published in the April 23rd edition of AIDS. More Street Children and HIV & AIDS Methodological Guide for Facilitators This training guide focuses on street children, their risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, and prevention of risk behaviours. Written by field practitioners and experts on guidance and counselling of youth in West Africa, it is structured to be a training tool to assist facilitators in the field. Its format and organisation emphasise portability and functionality and include tools to measure the effectiveness of the facilitators' interventions. More Cameroon Announce Free Health Care for HIV Patients The Cameroonian Ministry of Public Health, Olanguena Awono said Thursday that as from 1st of May, all HIV/AIDS Patient would receive free Anti Retro Drugs. More India Lags Behind Other Countries in Access to Anti-AIDS Drugs India is lagging behind many countries in providing anti-retroviral drugs to people afflicted with the AIDS virus. More
3. Opportunities Media education specialist wanted in Vancouver The Commonwealth of Learning is seeking an eminent and senior professional to join as an Education Specialist - Media to manage and direct a portfolio of initiatives in the use of mass media for health, governance and community development. Extensive hands-on experience in the use of TV and radio to achieve development goals is essential. The challenge of the position is its scope. The individual must be able to help governments develop media policy at the highest levels (i.e. by advising ministers) and also train people at the grassroots level (e.g. in NGOs) in the use of mass media for development purposes. Deadline: May 31, 2007 More details 4. Resources Article: Mothers Join Bird Flu Awareness Campaign Critical of the Indonesian government's avian flu campaign, this article details how parents in Indonesia are taking action to prevent the spread of the disease. More Article: Religious Leaders Fight Vaccine Propaganda According to this article, religious leaders, community leaders and tribal elders can play a key role in dispelling negative rumours surrounding the polio vaccine. More 5. Awards Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism Recognises independent and professional reporting that sheds new light on controversial issues. Two US$5,000 prizes are awarded each year, one to a local reporter in a developing country or nation in transition, and the other to a freelance journalist covering international news. The prizes were created in 2002 to honour Kurt Schork, an American freelance journalist who was killed in Sierra Leone in a military ambush while on assignment for Reuters on May 24 2000. Deadline: June 15 2007 Details Sentinel for Health Awards Recognises exemplary television storylines that best inform, educate, and motivate viewers to make choices for healthier and safer lives. Past recognition has been given for storylines about breast cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, alcoholism, disability, foetal alcohol syndrome, car crashes, organ donation, and safe sex. The awards programme now includes recognition in 5 categories: daytime drama, primetime drama, primetime minor storyline, primetime comedy, and telenovela. Deadline: June 15 2007 Details Malaria Awards 2007 Established by the Malaria Foundation International (MFI) to honour and inspire individuals and organisations dedicated to the prevention and treatment of malaria. MFI recognises heroes working in the sciences, business, media, and education for their efforts in malaria control and eradication. Nominations are now being accepted for newly created categories, as well as the original ones, including lifetime achievement, person of the year, celebrity of the year, global media reporter of the year, and many more. Deadline: June 30 2007 Details BA-UNESCO Award for Science Reporting Recognises a radio or television programme on science and technology that has high production value and focuses on promoting a better public understanding of science and technology as tools for national development. It should disseminate scientific information in an interesting and engaging manner that would attract the attention of a wide-ranging audience. Deadline: August 1 2007 Details Award for Children's Science News Awards young journalists worldwide for science journalism published in any medium - print, broadcast, or online. The US$3,000 prize recognises excellence in reporting about science for children up to age 14. The subject matter may be in most fields of science, but features focused exclusively on health or clinical medicine are not eligible. Entrants may submit an individual item, a series of up to 3 segments, or a group of 3 unrelated items. Deadline: August 1 2007 Details | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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