Kyla Hermannsen films Nolibele Debe who must walk for hours and cross a river to receive monthly physiotherapy for her arthritis in the Eastern Cape. Hermannsen’s documentary “Dying In Our Homes” aired on SABC
Submitting stories that took you across the vast expanses of rural South Africa and into the country’s hospitals, four Health-e News staff have been selected as finalists in the annual Discovery Health Journalism Award competition:
- Health-e News Print Editor Laura Lopez Gonzalez
- OurHealth Citizen Journalist Project Manager Sibongile Nkosi
- TV Producer Kyla Herrmannsen
- Intern Reporter Thabo Molelekwa
The annual awards, which started in 2008, are aimed at raising both the standard and quantity of health reporting in South Africa by promoting and recognising excellent work of journalists committed to the health field.
According to Discovery, the work of this year’s finalists demonstrated a commitment to making quality, balanced healthcare information accessible to South Africans, and holding the healthcare industry accountable.
“The high calibre of the entries we receive each year demonstrates the growing quality of health reporting and the critical role health journalists play in helping the public understand complex healthcare issues to make informed decisions about their health,” said CEO of Discovery Health Dr Jonathan Broomberg in a statement. “I commend each finalist as their work not only strengthens the South African healthcare system and its accessibility, but ultimately helps in saving and improving lives”.
Winners in each category will be announced at the Discovery Health Journalism Awards event on the 25 May 2016.