Health Journalists Workshop Ends

Media Agenda and NATCOM on Wednesday concluded a three day training workshop for some 25 health journalists from different media houses in the country.

The workshop was held at The Gambia Press Union Secretariat along

Participants were introduced to such topics such as diabetes and mental health.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Madi Ceesay, director of Media Agenda, thanked the participants for their active participation throughout the course. He urged them to put the knowledge gained during the training to good use. Mr. Ceesay therefore called on the health journalists to build good relationships with stakeholders in health including the Department of State for Heath and the WHO for more health news.

For his part, the president of the Health Journalists Association (AOHJ), Pa Modou Faal, called on the health journalists to give more coverage to health and related issues. He argued that diabetes and mental health are under reported in the Gambian media and thus challenged the participants to do more. According to him, health is everyone's business and thus requires the input of all and sundry most importantly the media as to enlighten the masses.

The other speakers included Mr. Amadou Sowe from the Department of State for Health Education Unit. He expressed confidence in health journalists hoping that they are now informed on issues covered during the training. He assured health journalists that their doors are always open for them to confirm their stories.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Mrs. Edna Musu Jassy of GRTS, also an executive member of AOHJ, thanked the organizers for the initiative. She assured them that they will make the best use of the skills and knowledge acquired.

Participants were awarded certificates at the end of the workshop.

Musa Sheriff, editor of The Voice Newspaper, chaired the closing ceremony.