Tajikistan
Tajik journalists’ role feted in climate-change discussions
Journalists receiving awards for helping to protect health from climate change
Photo: WHO/Tahmina Alimamedova
On 23 December 2011, the Ministry of Health of Tajikistan and WHO recognized the contribution of the mass media and journalists to protecting health from climate change. The awards for their contributions were part of a project financed by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of Germany.
The journalists receiving awards included:
- Ms Zebunisso Rustamova, “Jahonnamo” (“World around us”) television programme, first place;
- Mr Sayfiddin Sunati, “Javononi Tojikiston” (“Young people of Tajikistan”) newspaper, second place; and
- Mr Kudratullo Rahmatulloev, “Sadoi Dushanbe” (“Voice of Dushanbe”)radio station, third place.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, WHO conducted a series of training seminars and programmes for media professionals in Tajikistan in 2010 and 2011. To conclude the training, good examples were collected of media coverage of climate change issues on the radio, television, web sites and newspapers.
During the award ceremony, journalists shared their views and experiences, and expressed their desire to continue working on climate change and its impact on health.
“Our population is not sufficiently aware of climate change and its impact on health. The mass media are the main channel to the population and it is crucially important that people receive correct, clear, transparent and necessary information. If people are made aware of the problems, and how to protect their health, this will support the development and strengthening of the country’s health system,” noted Dr S.P. Aliev, Head of the State Sanitary Epidemiological Surveillance Service (SSESS).