Conference addresses media coverage of health issues

AMMAN — Media, especially social networking sites, is the main influence on Jordanians’ perception today, which can be a “double-edged sword” when it comes to health issues, according to experts.

Ensuring a “functional marriage” between the health and media sectors is vital now with the media being the main source of people’s information on healthcare and lifestyle, noted Nael Masalha, director general of Al Israa Hospital.

He made the remarks on Monday during the opening ceremony of a conference on media coverage of health issues and the creation of awareness, organised by the Middle East University (MEU), Al Israa Hospital and the Association of Arab Universities.

The two-day event, whose activities started on Tuesday, brings together 300 participants from Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Palestine and the UK.

“The flow of information through the media has a positive and negative side. The spread of a good health practice has a great impact on the public, while a false piece of information would have a destructive outcome,” Health Minister Ali Hiasat underlined.

He cited examples of good and bad handling of the onset of certain diseases, such as Ebola and the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu.

HRH Princess Basma, who attended the opening ceremony, agreed, stressing that “harmonisation” between the health and media sectors is a national need which requires holistic efforts to draw up media programmes that improve individuals’ health awareness.

She noted that creating a health-savvy generation should be the motive behind health-oriented initiatives.

The princess cited the “confusion” caused by people when they receive conflicting health information.

High on the conference’s agenda are the role of media outlets in promoting junk food, dealing with medical errors and health education.

Participants from the media and health sectors are also discussing ways to prepare influential health campaigns with the help of the media, particularly in the area of disease prevention.

MEU President Maher Salim said the conference will conclude with clear scientific recommendations on shaping the relationship between the health and media sectors.

Also on Monday, Princess Basma inaugurated a health exhibition on the sidelines of the event’s opening ceremony.