Media’s Crucial Role in the Fight Against Neglected Tropical Diseases: Insights from REMAPSEN President

The battle against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) cannot be won without the active involvement of the media, according to Bamba Youssouf, President of the Africa Media Network for the Promotion of Health and Environment (REMAPSEN). This powerful statement was made during the opening ceremony of the 4th REMAPSEN Media Forum on NTDs in Cotonou, Benin.

Introduction: The Media’s Untapped Potential in NTD Elimination

Neglected Tropical Diseases continue to affect millions of people across Africa, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Despite progress in some countries, the persistence of these diseases signals a critical gap in public awareness and engagement. The media, as a powerful driver of social change, holds the key to accelerating NTD elimination efforts.

Key Points: Why Media Engagement Matters

– Media serves as a critical bridge between health initiatives and communities
– Journalists can amplify awareness about NTD prevention and treatment
– Media coverage influences policy decisions and budget allocations
– Public awareness drives community participation in health programs
– Media narratives shape social attitudes toward affected populations

Background: Understanding NTDs and Their Impact

Neglected Tropical Diseases encompass approximately 20 diseases, including guinea worm, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), and onchocerciasis (river blindness). These diseases disproportionately affect the world’s poorest populations, trapping communities in cycles of poverty and illness.

Countries like Ghana, Togo, and Benin have demonstrated success by eliminating four NTDs, showcasing what’s possible with coordinated efforts. However, many other nations continue to struggle with these preventable and treatable conditions.

Analysis: The Media’s Role as Change Agent

Bamba Youssouf emphasized that continued discussions about NTD elimination indicate insufficient media engagement. He described journalists not as passive observers but as “key drivers of social change” who must receive sustained support to increase visibility for these “diseases of the poor.”

This perspective challenges traditional media approaches that often overlook health issues affecting marginalized communities. When media outlets prioritize NTD coverage, they create pressure for policy action, attract funding, and mobilize communities to seek treatment.

The World Health Organization’s Resident Representative in Benin, Dr. Konan Kouamé Jean, reinforced this message by describing the REMAPSEN Media Forum as a symbolic commemoration of the 2026 World NTDs Day. He emphasized that NTD elimination represents “an imperative of social justice for the world.”

Practical Advice: How Media Can Drive NTD Elimination

For Journalists and Media Organizations

1. **Prioritize NTD Coverage**: Dedicate regular segments or columns to NTD awareness and prevention
2. **Humanize the Story**: Focus on personal narratives that illustrate the human impact of these diseases
3. **Translate Medical Jargon**: Make complex health information accessible to general audiences
4. **Collaborate with Health Experts**: Partner with medical professionals to ensure accurate reporting
5. **Highlight Success Stories**: Showcase communities and countries that have successfully eliminated NTDs

For Health Organizations and Governments

1. **Invest in Media Partnerships**: Allocate resources for journalist training and media engagement
2. **Create Press-Friendly Materials**: Develop clear, compelling content that journalists can easily adapt
3. **Host Regular Media Forums**: Establish platforms for ongoing dialogue between health experts and journalists
4. **Recognize Media Excellence**: Implement awards and recognition programs for outstanding NTD coverage
5. **Provide Access to Experts**: Ensure journalists can easily connect with health authorities and researchers

FAQ: Media’s Role in NTD Elimination

**Q: Why are these diseases called “neglected”?**
A: These diseases are termed “neglected” because they primarily affect impoverished communities that lack political voice and economic power, resulting in minimal research funding and public awareness.

**Q: How can media coverage actually eliminate diseases?**
A: Media coverage drives public awareness, which leads to increased demand for health services, policy changes, and resource allocation. When communities understand prevention and treatment options, disease transmission decreases.

**Q: What makes the REMAPSEN Media Forum unique?**
A: The forum brings together journalists, health stakeholders, and development partners from across Africa to specifically address how media can accelerate NTD elimination efforts.

**Q: Which organizations support media engagement in NTD elimination?**
A: Development partners including Speak-Up Africa, the Gates Foundation, and the Raoul Follereau Foundation actively support REMAPSEN’s media initiatives.

Conclusion: A Call to Action for Media and Health Partners

The fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases requires a paradigm shift in how we view the media’s role in public health. As Bamba Youssouf and other health leaders have emphasized, eliminating NTDs is not just a medical challenge but a social justice imperative that demands media engagement at every level.

The two-day forum in Benin, culminating in an awards ceremony sponsored by Dr. Sidibé, the African Union Special Envoy for the African Medicines Agency, represents a significant step toward this goal. However, sustained commitment from media organizations, health authorities, and development partners is essential.

As Deputy Cabinet Director at Benin’s Ministry of Health, Assavedo Sibylle, noted, journalists play a crucial role in increasing visibility to influence budgetary allocations for NTD elimination. This underscores the need for stronger support from local organizations and partners to maintain gains made in the fight against NTDs.

The message is clear: without the media’s active involvement, the battle against Neglected Tropical Diseases cannot be won. It’s time for media organizations across Africa to recognize their power as agents of change and commit to the sustained coverage needed to eliminate these diseases once and for all.