WHO Ethiopia trains journalists on public health emergency (PHE) reporting from Nov 19-20, 2018; at Bishoftu Liesak Resort. The training was facilitated by Senior Producer at Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) and Yimer Dawod Deputy Editor – in-Chief at Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) who have been trained in Nirobi by WHO AFRO in 2018.
 

The training aimed to overcome the lack of knowledge on health and health related issues by the journalists, and in order they support all efforts to improve the preparedness of the health sector to prevent or reduce the public health consequences of outbreaks of diseases or displacement of populations, conflicts, natural disasters, malnutrition and any other emergency or disaster situations in Ethiopia.
 

The training was given for 22 journalists mainly from TV and Radio who were drawn from almost all regions except Somali region by WHO and EPHI from Nov 19-20, 2018 at Bishoftu Lisak resort. A welcoming notice was addressed by Mr Bill Graham, WHO External Relation Officer and an opening speech was delivered by Mr. Gezahegn Tesfaye the director for the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) Public Relation Directorate. Both speakers highlighted that this training will help the journalists to promote an understanding of risk communications; and encourage them reporting accurately and responsibly on public health emergency issues.
 

The session was started by presentations on Emergency situation global update & Introduction to WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme; Emergency situation update / country context / and Introduction to Public Health Emergency Management System in Ethiopia which was made by Ms. Lianne Gutcher, Mr. Bill Graham and Zewdu Assefa from WHO AFRO, WCO and EPHI respectively. During the training, a broad range of topics were covered on public health and emergencies and scenario-based table top exercises were made to stimulate discussion. Moreover, a total of four groups were created ,of which two groups exercised on yellow fever and the remaining groups discussed on measles, based on a press release given by the ministry of health of Ethiopia in each outbreaks. The trainee exercised on how they can produce news when they go back to the region.
                                                                                      
Finally, all participants indicated that they had found the course useful and it would help them to do their jobs. Participants indicated they would welcome follow-up from WHO and EPHI over the coming months.
 

For further information:
Dr Aggrey Kaijuka BATEGEREZA, WCO WHE Lead, bategerezaa [at] who.int
Ms Lainee Gutcher, Communications Officer, AFRO, gutcherl [at] who.int
Ms Selamawit Yilma, Communications Officer, WCO, yilmas [at] who.int
Wasihun Belay, Health Promotion Officer, WCO, belayw [at] who.int
Mr Bill Graham, External Relation Officer, WCO, grahamw [at] who.int