In Nairobi, African journalists are learning to report health as an investment, not just an illness

Health stories are usually told from a hospital ward. In Nairobi this week, the UN Economic Commission for Africa opened a three-day workshop asking journalists from across English-speaking Africa to tell them differently: as economics, sovereignty and investment. The Transforming Health Financing in Africa initiative notes African governments currently fund less than 41 percent of health spending, leaving families and unpredictable donors to cover the rest. Kenya was chosen to host because of its own overhaul — four universal-health-coverage laws in 2023 and a new Social Health Authority in 2024 — which participants will visit to see in practice. A sister workshop for French-speaking media, and a fellowship for 2027, follow.

SDG 3 · Good health and well-being — Mechanism: institutional program