Amref International University launches it’s first-ever course for health reporters

NAIROBI, 28 July 2020: Amref International University (AMIU) – a Premier Pan African University of health sciences – has launched an exciting new course for health reporters.

The first-intake class of the Health Communication & Journalism course kicked off on Monday 27 July with 20 students in the first class.

“During the last year’s Africa Health Agenda International Conference, we committed to partnering with Amref Health Africa and the media to develop this programme. This training is couldn’t have come at a better time, as globally, we are battling with the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Prof. Marion Mutugi the Vice-chancellor of AMIU.

“The training will ensure learners are equipped with skills to exercise power not just to inform but also to influence positive change in the health of communities. The media wields enormous power to influence vulnerable groups to take action on matters that affect them the most. Using the case of COVID-19, health reporters can inform the public and influence them to: promote health by good nutrition for increased immunity to better handle infection; prevent infection by undertaking various preventative measures such as hand washing and social distance; and support rehabilitative health whereby there is reduced stigma due to increased awareness around the disease,” she added.

In response to the pandemic restrictions, the course (like all other AMIU courses) is delivered virtually to the journalists from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi. Other than interactive sessions, the course requires that each participant undertakes a research project culminating in presentation of a report.

Prof. Joachim Osur, the Technical Director for Programmes at Amref Health Africa congratulated the first cohort of students who are recipients of the 2019 Africa Media Network on Health (AMNH), Excellence in Health Journalism Awards scholarships.

He said that the scholarship has come into existence with the dedication from Amref Health Africa, through Health Systems Advocacy Partnership programme, which provided sponsorship for the deserving media award winners.

Ms Marie Yambo, the President of the Africa Media Network on Health (AMNH) encouraged learners to take advantage of the training to further hone their specialised health reporting skills.

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Notes to Editors

About Amref International University

Amref International University (AMIU) is an institution of higher learning focused on training in health sciences and is fully owned by Amref Health Africa. AMIU is founded on the intellect of Amref Health Africa, which has over 60 years’ experience providing quality public health interventions, training and education. AMIU has nurtured leaders and shaped the future of public health practice in Africa for over 40 years under its predecessor Amref International Training Centre (AITC). We lead the way in health sciences education with a breadth of programmes. We focus primarily on health sciences courses with a commitment to progressively develop innovative programmes catering to the present and future needs of African populations. AMIU currently has an Institute of Research, Innovation and Consultancy and one School of Health Sciences with five departments: • Community Health Practice • Health Systems Management and Development • Nursing • Laboratory Sciences • Health Professions Education. Visit www.amref.ac.ke for more information on our programmes.

CONTACTS

Hezron Ochiel, Regional Communications Officer, Amref Health Africa

Email: Hezron.Owuor@Amref.org; Cell phone: +254724278948

OR

Betty Buyuka, Communications Manager, Amref International University Email: Betty.buyuka@amref.ac.ke; Cell phone: +254 722 513 239