Pretoria, 07 December 2012 -- Print, radio and television Journalists from seven priority Anglophone countries attended the WHO African Region’s media training on Neglected Tropical Diseases held in Johannesburg, South Africa, 4 to 6 December. The training focussed on:

1. Explaining NTDs’ importance in health and broader socio-economic development to help journalists identify news stories for more frequent coverage.

2. Improving journalists’ knowledge on NTDs concepts and terminology for accurate NTDs reporting.

3. Improving journalists knowledge on NTDs control and/or elimination strategies, progress and challenges to report on country’s progress in implementing their NTDs Master Plan, and

4. Obtaining commitment for NTDs Journalist/Media Network to improve information sharing and media coverage of NTDs.

The WHO Country Representative, Dr Sarah Barber, gave opening remarks and acknowledged the training as relevant especially at this time. “After decades of neglect, a new global and regional momentum now exists to accelerate the prevention, control, elimination and eradication of these diseases (NTDs).

Political commitment - a crucial element to sustain the elimination strategy - has increased substantially in the WHO African Region after the high-level 30 January 2012 NTD Event in London and the June 2012 ‘Accra Call to Action on NTDs,’ which urges countries to use integrated and cost-effective approaches with the view to eliminating NTDs. The goal is to eliminate NTDs as public health threats throughout the region by 2020.

Dr Barber’s remarks also acknowledged the media as a valuable partner. “We recognize that you have a vital role towards addressing NTDs. Continued news coverage of the burden of NTDs has a demonstrable impact in convincing government officials and the public that more can be done to save lives and protect people from a lifetime of disability. Thank you for your time and attendance. Through your support we will reach more people and improve more lives.”

Accelerate Prevention, Control, Elimination and Eradication of Neglected Tropical Diseases