Nigeria’s local journal, Daily Trust’s Assistant Online Editor, Afeez Hanafi, has been named the winner in the print category of the 2nd Emerging Health Technologies Media Award of Excellence.
Last year, the paper’s Health Editor, Ojoma Akor, took home the same award in the inaugural edition.
The award is organized by the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), through the Platform for Dialogue and Action on Health Technologies in Africa, in partnership with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD).
Hanafi won with his piece titled “Outages: Non-electric ventilator offers relief in respiratory failure treatment.” The report highlights ShiVent, a medical oxygen-saving device created by Nigerian biomedical engineer Dr. Yusuf Bilesanmi and colleagues in the UK.
Judges assessed entries based on thorough research, engagement with up-to-date scientific evidence, and how well the stories presented data and arguments. They also looked at originality and the journalists’ interaction with experts and relevant stakeholders in the field.
Joseph Mbeng Boum, Vice President of the World Federation of Science Journalists, praised Hanafi’s report for showcasing an innovation that addresses a critical health issue in Africa. “It’s a well-written piece with significant impact on communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights innovation in low-resource settings and offers hope,” Boum noted.
Other winners included Dajie Odok from Nigeria (Radio), Derick Matsengarwodzi from Zimbabwe (Online), Portia Garbor from Ghana (TV), and Leocadia Bougben from Cameroon, who received the grand prize.
Dr. Rose Oronje, Director of Public Policy and Knowledge Translation at AFIDEP’s Kenyan Office, remarked during the award ceremony that the event aimed to boost advocacy for the adoption of emerging health technologies across Africa, in line with AFIDEP’s mission to support the use of data and evidence in policymaking.
She emphasized the importance of these technologies, given Africa’s heavy disease burden and limited spending, and how their integration into health systems could save both lives and costs.