What is the Polio Eradication Project?

In 1997, the International Broadcasting Bureau --Voice of America, WORLDNET TV and the International Media Training Center launched a multimedia project in support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. The IBB has brought together the international broadcasting power of the Voice of America and WORLDNET Television to report on and increase awareness of polio eradication and related activities. The goal of this project has been to mobilize adults to immunize children during National Immunization Days and routinely throughout the year. The Polio Eradication Project also seeks to influence local and national media in polio endemic areas to continue providing coverage of National Immunization Days and to generate interest among political and media elite's, including policy makers, for continued support of the eradication effort. IBB’s activities are partially funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
 

"We are dealing with the largest public-private health initiative in the history of the world." Herb Pigman, Rotary International

VOA and the Polio Eradication Initiative

Each week an estimated 86 million people worldwide tune in regularly to VOA broadcasts in 53 languages. The vast majority of our listeners live in information-deprived societies, and for them VOA remains a vital lifeline of news and information about their own societies and the rest of the world. The nexus between the free flow of information and a people's ability to solve problems is a critical one, and it is no coincidence that many information starved societies have enormous public health problems.

Reporting

In 1997, VOA began its Polio Eradication Project with increased reporting of eradication efforts and other related health issues. Eighteen VOA Language Services are participating in the Initiative. They are English to Africa, French to Africa, Portuguese to Africa, Swahili, Amharic, Afan Oromo, Hausa, Kinyarwanda/Kirundi, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, Bangla, Pashto, Dari, Kurdish, Turkish, Uzbek, and Azeri. So far, VOA reporters have filed over 1600 news reports and feature stories from 34 countries. Topics covered include the status of local and regional immunization campaigns, the importance of vaccinations, investigation of vaccine myths and rumors, disease surveillance and other practical health information. 

Listener Contests

Listener contests are an important motivational and educational tool. During the contests, VOA listeners are asked a series of polio related questions whose answers are story topics broadcast sometime later in the week. Listeners are asked to mail their responses to VOA and winners are drawn from a pool of correct entries. Contest prizes range from a Free Play Energy Company wind-up radio, donated by the manufacturer, to small cash prizes. Urdu, Hindi, Bangla, English to Africa, Swahili, Hausa and French to Africa. 

Radio Dramas

VOA’s Pashto and Dari language services have produced radio soap operas promoting polio eradication and good child health practices. VOA’s Urdu service is in pre-production for its first series, scheduled for broadcast in Autumn 1999. 

VOA Fan Clubs

The Bangla Service’s 500-plus VOA Fan Clubs are active participants in the VOA Polio Eradication Project. In February 2000, VOA Fan Clubs in Bangladesh welcomed VOA Director Sanford Ungar and Bangla Service Chief Iqbal Bahar Choudhury,  to Bangladesh to engage in a VOA Fan Club Polio Eradication convention. The convention attracted representatives from over 150 fan club chapters and was presided over by  in  Bangladesh Health Minister Sheikh Fazlul Karmin Selim and  Information Minister Professor Abu Sayeed Hasina.  During the convention, they praised VOA’s Bangla service for helping to spread the word about the importance of immunizations and for numerous VOA sponsored educational forums, seminars, meetings and other newsworthy events.

VOA’s Bangla Service and the Polio Eradication Project intends to continue to support the volunteer effort of VOA Fans Clubs in Bangladesh in 2000. 

WORLDNET Television

This daily 24 hour service is downlinked via satellite by television stations, cable systems and US Embassies and cultural centers around the world. WORLDNET TV broadcasts feature magazines, documentaries, live call-in and public affairs shows about business, scientific and technological developments, and health issues among others. 

WORLDNET joined has developed and broadcast three interactive "Africa Journal" programs focusing on polio eradication activities in West Africa, one "Health Watch" program featuring global polio eradication activities and one news features on eradication efforts in India. 

International Media Training Center:

Recognizing the need for improved reporting on health issues, the IMTC is developing a series of CD-ROM-based training materials for health journalists. With the cooperation of the Pan American Health Organization, Rutgers University, the University of Missouri and USAID, the IMTC is developing a prototype, interactive, CD-ROM-based training program for journalists. Effective health reporting requires a journalist to be familiar with the subject matter, fundamentals of using statistics/data, and the ability to synthesize the impact of what is being proposed/conducted so that it is relevant for the listener/reader. 

A Polio Eradication version of the CD-ROM eradication will have all of the key technical documents, examples of good audio, video, PSAs, text reports, announcements etc. and reporting templates for creating and adapting existing materials. This CD will be made available to the social mobilization focal points in the regions. Plans are underway to develop a dissemination and training strategy in close coordination with the regional and global social mobilization activities.

For more information contact: 

Thaddeus C. Penas
Polio Eradication Coordinator
International Broadcasting Bureau (Voice of America)
Office of Business Development
330 Independence Avenue S.W.
Washington, DC 20547

Tel: 202 260-9052
Fax: 202 401-2861
E-mail: tcpena@ibb.gov