Friday, 05 September

AMMREN champions media’s role in malaria fight at WHO Africa Regional meeting

Politics
AMMREN's delegation at WHO's meeting

The African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) actively participated in the 75th Session of the World Health Organisation(WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, held in Lusaka, Zambia, from 25–27 August 2025.

The network was represented by Dr. Charity Binka, Executive Secretary, and Mr. Bernard Okebe, Coordinator of the Kenyan Chapter.

As a recognised non-state actor of WHO-AFRO, AMMREN was given the opportunity to deliver two official statements during the high-level meeting.

Both interventions reaffirmed the network’s commitment to ensuring that the perspectives of scientists, journalists, and communities remain central to Africa’s health agenda—particularly in the fight against malaria and the broader push for health equity across the continent.

AMMREN highlighted malaria as one of Africa’s most enduring public health challenges, noting its devastating toll on lives, productivity, and economic growth.

The network stressed that meeting the 2030 malaria elimination targets will require not only robust scientific innovations and strong political will but also the transformative power of the media in shaping public awareness, mobilising communities, and sustaining accountability.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for multi-sectoral collaboration in tackling health threats.

AMMREN pledged to continue amplifying the voices of scientists and communities while equipping journalists to play an active role in advancing Africa’s health priorities.

 

The next session, the 76th WHO Regional Committee for Africa, is scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Source: Classfmonline.com/Edem Afanou