KIGALI  - With a view of increasing public awareness of health initiatives and policies, journalists from different print media houses in the country, last week received training on health reporting.

The workshop which attracted over 20 participants was organized by the American Embassy in Rwanda.

According to Rachel Jones, a USA Knight Health Journalism Fellow, the training was aimed at mentoring journalists covering health issues in the country.

"During the five days, we mainly focused on the most urgent health issues that need to be interpreted in a bid to develop better story ideas that will influence policy and encourage behavior change where necessary,” she said.

Participants also confirmed that they acquired good skills in research, analysis and focus which will help in day-to-day reporting on health and as such will accelerate sensitization on the country’s health development goals.

"This workshop has equipped me with critical reporting tools which make it easier for me to gather health facts that impact our readers,” one of the participants, Alphonse Rutazigwa noted.

The Director of the Health Communication Centre, Gamaliel Binamungu also commended the US Embassy for this initiative adding that such training strengthens the role that the media plays in as far as health promotion is concerned.

Represented media houses included; The New Times, Imvaho Nshya, Izuba Rirashe, the Great Lakes Post and Rwanda News Agency among others.

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