Health Research Now

Umoyo N'kukamirana is a radio programme with a national reach and a magazine style. Aiming to reach both youth and adults through the local language of Chichewa, the programme focuses on themes such as: research ethics and blood issues, malaria, meningitis, DNA, cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis (TB), and vaccines. The topics are in line with MLW's research work, but the organisation also sought input from talks with communities in 6 areas where they have set up radio listening clubs. The role of these clubs is to give feedback on the programmes once they are on air, as well as to help stir debate during the programmes as they air live on radio MBC 1 every Sunday from 5:00-5:30 p.m. Guests on the programme will consist of MLW researchers as well as representatives from partner organisations.

The other part of the project involves capacity building for journalists on how to report on health research issues. To start, in May 2012, journalists and editors from various media houses attended a 2-day-long workshop in Blantyre to build their capacity and to help them understand the process and challenges involved in releasing health research findings, such as writing with user-friendly medical terminology. One of the facilitators emphasised the need to report health research findings in an interesting way so as to attract readers' and listeners' attention. More such seminars will follow during the course of the project.

Health.

WST's Science Communication Officer Tamara Chipasula notes that "there has not [been] much fact-based science reporting in Malawian newspapers, online, television and radio. This is due to lack of basic health research information for use by the media and also lack of trust between journalists and health researchers."