“I’ve always been a fan of Health-e, so I’m gratified to join an organisation whose news values align with mine, from telling stories of the marginalised to holding decision makers accountable. I believe that journalism is an essential pillar of public health, and that it can help contribute to a healthier South Africa, by providing news and information that allows citizens to make informed decisions about their health.”

Previously, she worked for eNCA as a health/science reporter and at the SABC as a Middle East correspondent/SAfm current affairs presenter.

Wadvalla has exciting plans for Health-e News.

“The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of health journalism in South Africa. Citizens are reliant on media for credible, accurate information. The work we do is valuable, and has a direct impact on the lives of our audience. Going forward, I plan on amplifying Health-e’s reach by reaching out to underserved populations, making our content more relevant, relatable and accessible, and experimenting with more innovative forms of storytelling. I’m excited to work with a dedicated team that’s committed to engaging with communities to tell health stories that matter.”

Wadvalla is a journalist who believes the media is an essential pillar of public health. After covering the Arab Spring revolution in Egypt and Libya, she returned to South Africa with a strengthened resolve to be a part of change in the country, to work towards social and economic equity. She shifted direction, focused on health journalism, and enrolled for a Masters in Public Health. During her MPH coursework, it was the Public Health and Human Rights class that influenced her career path: advocating for health equity, and addressing the social and structural determinants of health.

Her work has appeared on Al-Jazeera, The Guardian, the British Medical Journal, IPS, Nature Middle East, SciDev.net and Daily News Egypt. She’s received several reporting fellowships from the Reuters Foundation, National Press Foundation, International Women’s Media Foundation, the World Federation of Science Journalists and the Africa-China Reporting Project. – Health-e News