Citizen TV's Emily Chebet emerges winner at Africa AMR Champion Journalist Awards

The prestigious award, organized jointly by the quadripartite (FAO, UNEP, WOAH, WHO) and the African Union, aims to recognize outstanding contributions to raising awareness about Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and promoting responsible journalism in the field.

Emily's winning entry, titled "The Friendly Enemy," which aired on Citizen TV came as the best among 24 entries from journalists across Africa.

The feature story sheds light on the plight of patients suffering from Antimicrobial Resistance due to underdosage, misuse, and overuse of antibiotics.

It also explores the scientific solution that Kenyan scientists from the Kenya Medical Research Institute are developing by using bacteriophages to treat AMR.

Bacteriophages are harmless viruses that can be collected from sewers, isolated, cultured, and banked according to the bacterial strains they can ingest. These viruses then become the safest cure to heal patients with AMR by destroying harmful bacteria in the human body without harming humans.

At the award ceremony held in Harare, Zimbabwe, the organizers noted that “the feature story was well-researched, and addressed one of the rarely addressed strategic objectives of the GAP and NAPs – Research and development."

The winner Radio Category went to Uganda. 

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Emily underscored her dedication to high-quality journalism and commitment to raising awareness about important public health issues.

"I am incredibly proud of this achievement and look forward to continue making a significant impact in the field of Health and Science journalism," she said.

You can watch Emily's award-winning story here: