In this Media Dialogue, a journalist in the region shared her experience reporting on COVID during this period of issue fatigue, and answered some of these questions based on her own working lives. They was led on July 13 by Adele Baleta. Adele is an award-winning science writer, editor, facilitator and media consultant. She is a vaccine safety communications advisor to the WHO and a member of the South African National Advisory Group on Vaccine Hesitancy. Adele is expert at bridging the gap between scientists and journalists, and making science accessible to the public. Adele shared her views and tips on how journalists can deal with the challenges they face in providing essential health coverage in a time when governments, societies, and, yes, editors, seem to want to move on from the pandemic and other health issues.
Building Trust and Resilience for Better Outbreak Response in East and Southern Africa
Trust in health authorities and health services before, during and after public health emergencies is critical. Where higher level of trust in health authorities exists, communities are more likely to follow public health recommendations and seek health care, resulting in more rapid and effective outbreak response.
An erosion of trust in health services and the health system more broadly can result in families being less likely to seek health care when needed, including critical preventative care such as immunisation services, undermining the public health system.
