The visit was meant to introduce the AoHJ 2024 activity plans, areas it deemed necessary for collaboration with DHPE, and their possible intervention areas.
Receiving the delegation, Michael Manga Mendy, Director at Health Promotion and Education, Ministry of Health, first commended AoHJ for the successful conduct of their elective congress.
"Congratulations will not be limited to you (AoHJ), we have to congratulate the Health Promotion Directorate and the Ministry of Health (MoH), for accepting this opportunity that we have been thinking of. I can remember one year ago your absence was felt. This was in December last year when we needed your participation and we came to realise that there were lapses here and there. I am delighted to receive you and I will inform the minister. I am sure he will be very happy to receive this great news. I am happy to hear that your association has extended its membership across the length and breadth of the country. We (MoH), were enjoying weekly free airtime from all the Community radios across the country." said Mr. Mendy.
On her part, Sally Jarju, president of the Association of Health Journalists (AoHJ), expressed delighted to lead her executive to formally introduce them to the Health Promotion Officers.
"The AoHJ has key priorities which are limited but include the following, media training for our members, many of whom are new in the health reporting sector." she posited.
Madam Jarju, who secured herself a permanent seat at the Tobacco Control Act (ACT), encouraged members to work hand in glove with the Directorate of Health Promotion and Education, DHPE, to take charge of the revamping and revitalisation of some health columns and radio airtime in creating more awareness.
The Tobacco Control Act (TCA), page 9 - states that a representative from the Association of Health Journalists (a) two representatives from Civil Society who are - (i) engaged in tobacco control, and (ii) nominated in consultation with the committee by a forum of organisations engaged in tobacco control.
A Member Shall - (a) be nominated by the Permanent Secretaries or heads of the respective Ministries or Institutions, (b) not have any affiliation with the tobacco industry, and (c) not further the interests of the tobacco industry or its subsidiaries.
Ousman A. Marong, Secretary-General for the Association of Health Journalists (AoHJ), told the Director of Health Promotion that that was an opportunity for them (DHPE), that they should not afford to lose.
"I believe we have it all that we cannot afford to lose. Not afford to lose in the sense I would say your institution which is the Directorate of Health Promotion and Education, DHPE, has the opportunity it should not lose. The opportunities are that most of us are community radio managers and you are that information giver for our usual dissemination and we will do it accordingly. This is the opportunity I am talking about and it should be a win-win situation for the people working with people." he remarked.
Marong further suggested creation of a website and a YouTube Channel to be handled and run by AoHJ members. He also requested support from the Directorate of Health Promotion and Education in organising an annual health reporting award.
Other speakers included Sheriff Saidykhan Assistant Sectary-General and Yusupha Bojang, Public Relations Office (PRO) of the Association of Health Journalists, who echoed similar sentiments. Currently, the association has members in major towns across the country.
