The government has trained more than 80 journalists as part of a national drive to strengthen public awareness and curb the growing threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a silent but deadly health challenge affecting millions globally.
The one-day training, organised by the Ministry of Health on November 30, 2025, provided media practitioners with scientific knowledge and practical tools to better educate the public on the proper use of medicines and the dangers of drug resistance.
Speaking during the opening session, the National Coordinator for Antimicrobial Resistance (UVIDA), Ms. Emiliana Francis, said the media plays a crucial role in shaping public behaviour and saving lives.
“With accurate information and the right skills, journalists become frontline ambassadors in the fight against AMR,” she said. “Your reporting can help citizens make informed health decisions, seek treatment promptly, and use medicines responsibly.”
Ms. Francis added that improved public understanding of AMR could significantly reduce preventable deaths linked to misuse of antibiotics and other essential medicines.
During the training, journalists were introduced to essential practices that help slow down drug resistance, including using antibiotics strictly when prescribed by health professionals, completing full doses, avoiding self-medication, and recognising symptoms that require urgent care.
The Ministry expects that by strengthening journalists’ capacity, communities nationwide will have access to more reliable, timely, and easy-to-understand information aimed at protecting public health.
Participants expressed their commitment to amplify accurate messaging on AMR across various platforms.
Mr. Rashid Mtagaluka, an editor at MUM FM Radio, said the training was timely and relevant, given the rising number of deaths linked to drug-resistant infections.
“Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global threat. These insights will enable us to communicate the danger more clearly and help the public adopt safer health practices,” he said.
The training forms part of the government’s broader strategy to curb AMR and safeguard the effectiveness of essential medicines for future generations.