By Cyprian Tayong
Twenty-seven English-speaking journalists have undergone specialised training on drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) reporting as part of efforts to strengthen media coverage, raise public awareness, and promote sensitisation on the disease in the North West and South West regions.
KENKO Foundation, in partnership with Stop TB Partnership and the National TB Control Programme Regional Delegation, organised the two-day capacity-building workshop on December 18 & 19, 2025 at Marscons Hotel in Limbe.
The workshop was designed to equip journalists with in-depth knowledge on tuberculosis and its most dangerous forms—multi-drug resistant TB. The training highlighted the strategic role of the media in bridging the information gap between health authorities and local communities, especially populations living in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Tuberculosis remains one of the leading infectious killers worldwide, and Cameroon continues to face significant challenges in the detection, treatment, and management of drug-resistant TB cases.
Against this backdrop, the KENKO Foundation’s initiative sought to empower journalists with accurate, evidence-based information, enabling them to educate the public and counter misinformation surrounding the disease.
During the training, participants were taken through a comprehensive overview of tuberculosis, covering its causes, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, treatment options, and prevention measures. Special emphasis was placed on drug-resistant TB, which develops when TB bacteria do not respond to standard treatment due to incomplete or improper medication use.
Facilitators also outlined the wide range of government-supported services available to TB patients. These include free TB screening, free laboratory testing, free anti-TB drugs, and full treatment support, all provided through the Ministry of Public Health.
Journalists were encouraged to actively inform communities that TB is both preventable and curable when detected early and treated correctly.
The workshop further underscored the importance of reducing stigma and discrimination against TB patients, which often discourages people from seeking timely medical care. Journalists were urged to use responsible and human-centred reporting approaches that promote compassion and understanding.
Speaking to the press at the end of the training, Mr. Anicetus Suireng, the Multi Drug Resistant-TB Focal Point of the National TB Control Programme for the South West Region, stressed that the fight against tuberculosis cannot be won without effective communication. According to him, the training marks a turning point, as journalists are now better positioned to relay accurate and life-saving information to the population.
Mr. Suireng said: “It is now left for the journalists to spread the word on the importance and benefits of treating tuberculosis, especially multi-drug resistant TB. When people understand that services are free and accessible, they are more likely to come forward for diagnosis and treatment.”
He identified limited access to information in hinterland communities as one of the major challenges facing TB control efforts. Many people living in remote areas remain unaware of TB symptoms and available services, leading to late diagnosis and increased transmission.
To address this gap, Mr. Suireng explained that trainings like these are organised to multiply information channels, with journalists, foundations, TB champions, and survivors playing complementary roles in community sensitisation.
Ray C. Nji, the Executive Director of KENKO Foundation reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment in supporting local efforts to eliminate tuberculosis in Cameroon. He explained that the foundation’s core mission is to reduce TB-related mortality by increasing awareness and improving access to existing TB services provided by the government.
Mr Nji stated: “Our objective is to work with communities to curb the spread and mortality rate by ensuring that people are aware of drug resistant tuberculosis, access screening and treatment services put in place by the government through the Ministry of Public Health.”
