Emefa Ewoenam Atiamoah-Eli
Journalists, health experts and development partners have called for stronger media advocacy, equitable health interventions and community-driven innovation to fast-track the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) on the continent.
The call was made at the REMAPSEN Africa Media Forum on NTDs held in Cotonou, Benin, which brought together media practitioners, policymakers, civil society organisations and development partners to review progress and strengthen advocacy efforts towards ending NTDs.
Speaking during a panel discussion on equity and innovation, Chairperson of REMAPSEN Ghana, Emefa Ewoenam Atiamoah-Eli, urged journalists to go beyond isolated reporting and consistently tell stories that reflect the realities of communities living with NTDs.
She noted that elimination efforts would remain unsuccessful if affected populations are not placed at the centre of solutions and their stories told with dignity and accuracy.
“NTD elimination will remain out of reach if the stories of affected communities are not told with dignity, depth and consistency,” she noted.
Medical Advisor to the Raoul Follereau Foundation in Africa, Roch Christian Johnson, identified stigma and discrimination as major challenges undermining progress in NTD control. He said fear and misinformation continue to prevent many people from seeking timely treatment.
According to him, responsible media coverage can help dismantle stigma, encourage early treatment and support survivors, while unethical reporting risks deepening discrimination and social exclusion.
From an advocacy standpoint, Director of Partnerships and Development at Speak-Up Africa, Yaye Sophietou Diop, called for the integration of NTD interventions into primary healthcare systems to improve access and promote equity.
She explained that embedding NTD services into routine healthcare delivery would strengthen health systems and ensure no community is left behind. She further emphasised the need for co-creation, stressing that programmes designed with community input are more sustainable.