The Health Journalists Network in Uganda (HEJNU) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing public understanding of health care issues in Uganda.
Through a network of health journalists throughout the country, HEJNU aims to improve the quality, accuracy, intensity and visibility of health reporting, broadcasting, writing and editing.
HEJNU envisions a healthy Ugandan society, capable of making good treatment decisions, which is well informed on public health care issues through excellence in health journalism.
We believe that it is essential to provide critical support to journalists from the various media houses around the country in their effort to cover complex issues of health and healthcare.
The Health Journalists Network in Uganda, so far has 70 members — all working journalists reporting on health in various media houses all over country, in print, TV, radio and online and it is still growing.
It also has a high number of non-journalist partners it works closely with including scientists, researchers and health communication professionals.
Goals & Objectives
- To improve the standard of health reporting, writing, broadcasting and editing.
- Focus on increasing the quantity, understanding and sustainability of health issues in the media.
- To mainstream health journalism in Uganda.
- To develop a strong and vibrant community of health reporters across the country.
- To raise the profile of health journalism and healthcare in Uganda.
- To disseminate relevant information on health, new advances, innovations and medical research that will enable the public make informed treatment choices when seeking medical care.
- To influence decision making on health policy implementation
- Train, empower and support health journalists with information to disseminate to the public
- Strengthen the relationship between the media and the wider society including the academia, government officials, scientists, researchers and communication experts
- Carry out health research