Workshop by Unicef: health reporters advised to educate masses about diseases

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef) on Saturday arranged a daylong media workshop on "Rethinking Journalism" for reporters working in health sector. The participants of the workshop were informed about the case study and new techniques being used in the world to cover health issues.
Workshop Co-ordinator Aamer Ahmed Khan who is the Country Editor of BBC World Service in Pakistan said it is professional responsibility of health reporters to educate the masses about various diseases. He said sensitive issues should be covered keeping in view the after effects as journalist knows better than common man, adding he should write stories after collecting all relevant facts.
He added that health reporters could play an effective role in awareness campaigns along with health officials both at local as well as at national level.
Aamer Khan said reporters should avoid touching such issues, which may harm the people sentiments. He said health reporters should also write features on important health issues for general public like HIV/AIDS, polio, hepatitis and other communicable and non-communicable diseases.
National Programme Manager Extended Programme of Immunisation (EPI) H.B. Memon said efforts are being made for complete eradication of polio from the country. He said to ensure that poliovirus transmission is stooped the government is committed to an intensified schedule of supplementary immunisation activities in current year.
He said the ministry of health is placing stronger emphasis on improving quality to reach every child under the age of five years. He added every countryman should play due role to educating parents that they must administer their children polio drops.
He said evidence shows that the quality of immunisation activities can improve dramatically when leaders at all level take ownership of immunisation programmes and personally monitor progress.