Express Tribune’s Wisal Yousafzai wins first prize for health reporting excellence at AKU

Express Tribune journalist awarded for shedding light on health challenges faced by mothers and children in K-P.

PESHAWAR:

The Express Tribune secured the first prize in the prestigious "Excellence in Health Reporting Award" organized by the Aga Khan University’s Department of Pediatrics and Child Health. 

This award celebrates outstanding journalism in the field of maternal and child health. Wisal Yousafzai, reporter with the Original Content section of The Express Tribune, won the first prize in the print category for his impactful story on the high maternal mortality rate in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). 

The piece, titled "Why is KP's Maternal Mortality Rate So High?", highlights the dire state of maternal and child health in the province.

 The story also narrates the heartbreaking tale of a mother who tragically lost her life while being transported to the hospital.

In second place in the print category was Sadia Obaid Khan, a journalist from Daily Jang, for her comprehensive report on the devastating impact of the 2022 floods on the population of Sindh.

In the television category, the first prize was awarded to Abdur Razaq from Deewa Radio (VOA)  for his in-depth reporting on malnourished children in Pakistan. Shafqat Azizi from Neo TV secured the second prize for his television coverage of similar health issues.

The digital media category saw a tie for the first prize between Aresha Rehman of Dawn.com and Kehkashan Bukhari of Geo.tv, both recognized for their compelling reporting on health issues. Similarly, the second prize was shared between Wara Irfan from Dawn.com and Riaz Sohail from BBC Urdu.

The competition attracted around 40 submissions from journalists across Pakistan. A panel of three judges evaluated the entries, which came from various media outlets nationwide.

Dr. Fyezah Jehan, Chairperson of the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at Aga Khan University, praised the initiative. She expressed pride in how the competition highlighted the importance of maternal and child health reporting. 

"This competition boosts the energy and courage of journalists, encouraging them to delve deeper into health reporting," she said. Dr. Jehan also emphasized that the university would continue to host such events annually, recognizing and encouraging excellence in health journalism in Pakistan.

The competition not only celebrates the work of journalists but also aims to bring critical health issues into the public spotlight.