ISLAMABAD : A new media initiative is being launched in Pakistan to improve coverage of and public knowledge about home and hospital-based healthcare for mothers and newborns.
The initiative includes a series of high-quality training workshops for print, radio and television journalists to build the capacity of Pakistani media to cover mother and newborn healthcare (MNH) issues to improve public education on the subject.
The 7-month project (Aug 2006 to Feb 2007) will also develop a formal network of reporters trained in covering MNH issues and resource persons to improve access to data and information on the subject. Trainee journalists will also be awarded stipends for investigative reports and given awards for best reports highlighting MNH issues.
Funded by the Pakistan Initiative for Mothers and Newborns (PAIMAN), the project will be implemented by Intermedia Pakistan, a media development NGO registered in Pakistan and working to develop media capacities and improve journalism standards.
PAIMAN is a five-year project designed to reduce Pakistan 's maternal and neonatal mortality by making sure women have access to skilled birth attendants during childbirth and throughout the postpartum period.
PAIMAN works at national, provincial and district levels to strengthen the capacity of public and private health care providers and to improve health care system infrastructure.
Pakistan 's maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity rates are high despite an extensive health service network. Insufficient awareness of major maternal and newborn complications among women, families and birth attendants persist.
Most maternal and newborn deaths occur at home, with no skilled health provider in attendance. According to available statistics, over 80% of women deliver their babies at home, while skilled and trained birth attendants conduct only 20% of deliveries.
Although substantial gains in the contraceptive prevalence rate have occurred in recent years in Pakistan , a high total fertility rate continues to expose women and children to increased risks of mortality and morbidity.
Pakistan 's extensive network of public sector health facilities reach only about one third of the country's population. The remaining 70% is served by the private sector, mainly for curative services.
The public sector, an important service provider in isolated rural communities, needs improvements in physical infrastructure safe water supply, privacy for female clients, regular supply of drugs, logistics and equipment, and provider capabilities.
Intermedia will hold five three-day training workshops aimed at supporting journalists working in health issues and covering health related activities in selected ten districts of Pakistan and at provincial and national levels.
Other than journalists working with mainstream media – print and electronic – correspondents based in focus areas will be invited to the workshops.
The trainings will focus on reporting health issues with special reference healthcare for mothers and newborns; understanding issues related to health care of mothers and newborns; practical solutions to cover health issues, knowledge and practical tools to collect and report health-related data, creating a demand for a health system that delivers high quality MNH services, increasing awareness and promoting positive maternal and newborn health behaviors by reporting issues related to community involvement in maternal and child health services and service quality in public and private sectors.
The first of the five workshops will be held in Murree on September 12-14 for Punjab-based journalists. Interested journalists covering health issues are invited to attend the workshop. They can send their nominations to the Intermedia office in Islamabad . Details about the trainings are available at intermedia.org.pk .
Training Focus
The training will focus on
- Reporting health issues with a focus on care to mothers and newborns
- Understanding issues related to health care of mothers and newborns
- Practical solutions to cover health issues
- Knowledge and practical tools to collect and report health-related data
- Creating a demand for a health system that delivers high quality Maternal and Newborn Health services
- Increasing awareness and promoting positive maternal and newborn health behaviors by reporting issues related to;
- Community involvement in maternal and child health services
- Service quality in public and private sectors
Participation:
• Each provincial training will have 25 participants
• In each training 18 participants will be from print – newspapers/magazines
• In each training 7 participants will be from electronic media – television/radio
• In national training 40 participants will be invited
(National training may be an advanced course for provincial trainees)
Criteria:
• Nominated by head of the organization
• Three years work experience with mainstream media – print or electronic
• Covering health issues (regularly)
Gender balance
To encourage women participation, criteria for selection can be relaxed. Intermedia will try to get registered at least 30 percent female participants if not 50 percent. |
