IMdev supports Post Ebola Health Governance with Accountable training for Journalists

The Strengthening Post-Ebola Health Governance programme strived to create greater monitoring, accountability and citizens engagement on Health Governance issues. Output 3 of the project focuses on “Increasing media capacity in Sierra Leone to monitor and oversee health care services” and capitalises on the complimentary role of the media in galvanizing citizens voices and giving them a platform to express their views and opinions on access to the Free Health Care drugs and services.

In the first year of the project, a total of 152 journalists were trained on Health Governance and Accountability and these formed the Health Accountability Network of Journalists (HANoJ) (partnership launched and will be formally established at the end of the year). Health Networks now exist at district level and these will be used to support and sustain Health reporting in collaboration with VDCs, U Reporters, civil society and other social groups on the ground. In 2018, 30 community radio stations across the country and 75 radio programmes on Health Governance and Accountability were produced and broadcast. All of these programs remain accessible on the IMdev website and on the sound cloud link.

The second phase continued building the capacity of the media and citizens to improve the accountability of health service delivery, with a focus on drug and medical equipment distribution (including free health care, malaria and nutrition supplies), and (using the media) engage communities and health stakeholders at both the national and local levels and civil society. The project supports local radio platforms to share information on health services and health sector reform, raise awareness about rights and the benefits of health services, and provides feedback on the quality of health services. Furthermore promoting a collective platform for education, information and facilitating citizens’ engagement with governments towards building strong systems of accountability and transparency in the health sector.