Title: Fight against malaria: Mobilization of journalists in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Introduction :
The fight against malaria remains a major challenge in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where this disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under 5 years old and pregnant women. Aware of the importance of raising awareness among the population and providing concrete solutions, the National Malaria Control Program (PNLP) and the NGO Impact Santé Afrique recently organized a training workshop for around twenty journalists. These communications professionals are committed to supporting the NGO in its mission to end malaria in the DRC.
A crucial issue for public health:
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest contributor to the malaria burden in Africa and the third country in the world in terms of the number of cases, with more than 27 million cases recorded in 2022 and nearly 25,000 deaths. Faced with this alarming situation, it is essential to raise awareness among populations and implement concrete prevention and treatment actions.
The key role of journalists in raising awareness:
Journalists have an essential role to play in the fight against malaria. Their ability to inform, raise awareness and mobilize communities makes them ideal relays for conveying messages of prevention and access to care. This is why the NGO Impact Santé Afrique and the PNLP organized this training workshop, in order to equip journalists on the issues and solutions linked to malaria.
A charter of commitment to the fight against malaria:
At the end of the training, the journalists signed a charter of commitment, thus committing to supporting the NGO Impact Santé Afrique in its mission to put an end to malaria in the DRC. They are also committed to relaying information and awareness-raising actions to the population, using their various communication media (articles, reports, radio broadcasts, etc.).
An essential collaboration for an effective fight:
Collaboration between health stakeholders and the media is crucial to leading an effective fight against malaria. Journalists have the ability to reach a wide audience and generate interest around this public health issue. Their role is not only limited to informing, but also to inspiring concrete actions and behavioral changes to reduce the impact of malaria.
Conclusion :
Training journalists in the fight against malaria in the DRC is an important step in strengthening awareness and commitment of the population. Their role as relays of information and mobilization is essential to advance this fight and help reduce the burden of malaria in the DRC.. Collaboration between health stakeholders and the media is an essential lever for implementing effective and sustainable actions.