Project Outcomes
AMMRENs grant was provided to produce two editions of the Eyes on Malaria Magazine, a new 32-page magazine published bi-annually in hard copy and on the Internet at www.eyesonmalaria.org .The magazine brings to the fore issues including research findings, policy directions and every day living as far as malaria is concerned. The magazine also captures events and initiatives in the international arena in respect to malaria. It contains mostly articles written by AMMREN members and those culled from other related magazines and websites.
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The first edition was successfully produced, launched and distributed in June 2008 in all ten AMMREN member countries, (Burkina Faso, Gambia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania). It included a number of different articles on topics such as a malaria vaccine, malaria prevention, and how the disease links to other health problems. It also included malaria news around the world. |
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The launch was undertaken in both Tanzania and Ghana, to introduce the magazine to the general public and major stakeholders in the fight against malaria. An electronic version of the magazine was also put on the newly created magazine’s website.
The second edition of the Eyes on Malaria magazine came out in January 2009. Again several articles were submitted by AMMREN members and other contributors, with a focus on malaria eradication. In both editions there were articles in French and Portuguese thereby allowing the magazine to read a wider readership.
The Project achieved the following results:
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It helped to improve the writing skills of several African journalists when reporting about science matters, teaching how to use simple language in communicating scientific facts in order to usefully get information on health to ordinary people. With such increased capacity, up and coming journalists are now able to effectively deliver health reporting to their communities.
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It bridged the reporting gap between scientists and journalists in Africa, as showed by the enthusiasm with which the magazine was received by all.
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It provided an opportunity for new findings on malaria research, such as the results of malaria vaccine trials, to be published in an African context.
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It made known simple ways of preventing malaria to a broad audience. For example the story about the use of Hurricane Lamps to ward off mosquitoes, published in the first edition of the magazine, in particular drew lot of attention as hurricane lamps are commonly used in most parts of Africa.
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It brought malaria eradication and other topics to the attention of policy makers who received the magazine. |
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It brought to light the efforts of African malaria focus groups and institutions.
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It continued to inform, but in an innovative way, the general public about malaria causes, preventions and treatments.
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Its website has allowed Eyes on Malaria to have a regional and global reach in the dissemination of relevant information on malaria. |
More Information
Please go to www.eyesonmalaria.org
For more information on the launch go to "Launch of the Eyes on Malaria News Magazine"
For more information about this project, please contact Ms Charity Binka at info@ammren.org
or visit: http://www.ammren.org/
