Cuban journalist Yetel Ricaño, of Radio Victoria, in the eastern province of Las Tunas, took third place in the Latin American Health Journalism Award.

The reporter won the award, sponsored by the Pan American Health Organization and the Communication Initiative, for his report “Antimicrobial Resistance: behavior that harms, rushes that condemn”, published on the website of the radio station.

The report addresses the abusive consumption of antibiotic, anti-parasitic, antiviral and antifungal medicaments, reports the Cuban News Agency.

The testimonies from patients, doctors and relatives of patients, illustrate the consequences, sometimes fatal, of the lack of responsibility in treatment or self-medication, leading to diseases that are increasingly resistant to drugs.

The young journalist reported that the award is an incentive to work, which he will continue on the line to tell human interest stories based on research.

The jury for the seventh edition of the event included representatives from the National News Agency for Children's Rights from Bolivia, and Journalism Allied to Children, Social Development and Research from Colombia.

Professionals from 19 countries participated in the contest with investigative reports on pressing health issues for Latin American societies, including the factors that contribute to medicine drug resistance and multi resistant tuberculosis.
Convened since 2005, this award aims to recognize journalists who contribute to placing critical health issues for the region on the public agenda.

Translated by: Daysi Olano

!joomlacomment 4.0 Copyright (C) 2009 Compojoom.com . All rights reserved."