Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to the effects of antimicrobial medicines making infections harder-to-treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
The Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA) is a network of media from across sectors coming together to raise media awareness on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its visibility in the context of global health security and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Vision
Increase awareness and visibility of antimicrobial resistance in and through media, for responsible and appropriate use of antimicrobials to protect human health.
Mission
The Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA) aims to collaborate worldwide with journalists and other media actors (such as, those in print, online, TV, radio, social media content production, community media, etc), and media networks to demand stronger and urgent actions for ensuring responsible and appropriate use of antimicrobials by:
- Raising media awareness on AMR,
- Increasing its visibility in media,
- Updating media fraternity on AMR science,
- Sharing opportunities with members for coverage, capacity building/ training, learning events, etc. These may also include AMR related media scholarships or fellowships, upcoming AMR events, etc.
- Simplifying AMR science in local contexts, as well as in relation to health security and SDGs.
GAMA Scientific Advisory Committee Co-Chairs
- Dr Jeremiah Chakaya, former President of International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union), Technical Director, Respiratory Society of Kenya, and Professor, Global Respiratory Health, at the Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
- Dr Surya Kant, Professor and Head, Respiratory Medicine Department, King George's Medical University (KGMU), and former National President of 3 important respiratory medicine associations in India: Indian Chest Society, National College of Chest Physicians, and Indian College of Allergy, Asthma and Applied Immunology
GAMA Executive Committee
- Padma Shri Patricia Mukhim, Editor, The Shillong Times, India
- Carolyne Oyugi, Kenya Environment and Science Journalists Association (KENSJA), Kenya
- Zevonia Vieira, Editor, Neon Metin Media, and President of Timor-Leste Journalist's Association (AJTL), Timor-Leste
- Shiow Chin Tan, Editor, Star Health, The Star, Malaysia
- Dr Tin Maung Htwe, Chief Editor, Health Digest Journal, Myanmar
- Catherine Murombedzi nee Mwauyakufa, Vice Chair, Zimbabwe Health Communicators Forum, Zimbabwe
- Esther Nakkazi, President, Health Journalists Network of Uganda (HEJNU), Uganda
- Nurul Islam Hasib, Special Correspondent, Dhaka Tribune, Bangladesh and former Secretary General, Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU)
- Kalpana Acharya, Editor-in-Chief, Health TV Online, Nepal and former President, Health Journalists Forum Nepal
- Jittima Jantanamalaka, Producer, Chiang Mai Radio, Thailand
- Harry Surjadi, founder of Society of Indonesian Science Journalists, and Board Member, World Federation of Science Journalists
- Ashok Ramsarup, former Senior Producer, Lotus FM, SABC, South Africa
- Rita Widiadana, former editor, The Jakarta Post, Indonesia and founding Board Member, Asia Pacific Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media)
- Bobby Ramakant, CNS, India, and Programme Committee Member, World Conference of Science Journalists 2023
- Shobha Shukla, CNS and APCAT Media, India (coordinator)
(alphabetically listed as on 12 November 2023)
- The Shillong Times, India
- Health TV Online, Nepal
- Health Journalists Network Uganda (HEJNU), Uganda
- Humanitarian Information Facilitation Centre (HIFC), Zimbabwe
- Health Digest Journal, Myanmar
- Neon Metin Media, Dili, Timor-Leste
- Kenya Environment and Science Journalists Association (KENSJA), Kenya
- KBC, Kenya
- NTV, Kenya
- Health Business magazine, Kenya
- The Himalayan Times, Kathmandu, Nepal
- AllMediaLink.Eu, South Africa
- Rise News Uganda Network, Uganda
- Jointed Hands Welfare Organization, Zimbabwe
- Community Working Group on Health (CWGH), Zimbabwe
- NRTV, Zimbabwe
- Voice of America (VoA) Shona service, Zimbabwe
- The Midwives Foundation Trust, Zimbabwe
- Maricho Media, Zimbabwe
- The Sunday Mail, Zimbabwe
- Internews - Health Journalism Network, South Africa
- Center for Media and Information Literacy, Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication, Bangladesh
- IOE Publishers, Nigeria
- Asia Pacific Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media)
- CNS (Citizen News Service)
Individual GAMA members
- Ode Uduu, Data Journalist, Dataphyte, Nigeria
- Kalpana Acharya, Editor-in-Chief, Health TV Online, Nepal
- Esther Nakkazi, journalist, Health Journalists Network Uganda (HEJNU)
- Padma Shri Patricia Mukhim, Editor, The Shillong Times, India
- Kathy Manase, Director, Humanitarian Information Facilitation Centre (HIFC), Zimbabwe
- Dr Tin Maung Htwe, Editor-in-Chief, Health Digest Journal, Myanmar
- Zevonia Vieria, Editor, Neon Metin Media, Dili, Timor-Leste
- Carolyne Oyugi, Programs Manager, Kenya Environment and Science Journalists Association (KENSJA)
- Judith Akolo, Journalist, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Kenya
- Osman Ahmed Maalim, Radio presenter, KBC, Kenya
- Winny Chepkemoi, Correspondent, NTV, Kenya
- Samwel Doe Ouma, Health Science and Environment journalist, Health Business magazine, Kenya
- Chhatra Karki, Contributing Writer, GAVI.org, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Rajan Pokhrel, Executive Editor, The Himalayan Times, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Ashok Ramsarup, Africa Bureau Chief, AllMediaLink.Eu, South Africa
- Catherine Mwauyakufa (Mashonaland), Journalist, Zimbabwe
- Abigirl Tembo, Health editor, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Zimbabwe
- Nhau Mangirazi, Journalist, Alpha Media Holdings, Zimbabwe
- Aaron Ainomugisha, Team Leader & Journalist, Rise News Uganda Network, Uganda
- Rumbidzayi Zinyuke, Senior Health Reporter, The Herald, Zimbabwe
- Melody B Mukundwi, Advocacy and Communication Officer, Jointed Hands Welfare Organization, Zimbabwe
- Vanessa Gamuchirai Gonye, Health Reporter, Alpha Media Holdings/ Health Communicators Forum, Zimbabwe
- Wilson Box, Director, Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network- Drug User Network Media influence, Zimbabwe
- Itai Rusike, Executive Director, Community Working Group on Health (CWGH), Zimbabwe
- Prisca Manyiwa, Journalist, Impact Stories, Zimbabwe
- Hamu Madzedze, Reporter/Writer, Zimbabwe
- Dorcas Mufiri, Health Reporter, NRTV, Zimbabwe
- Ropafadzo Mapimhidze, Health correspondent, Voice of America (VoA) Shona service, Zimbabwe
- Nyasha Marylyn Munetsi, Registered General nurse midwife NesiMukoti and The Midwives Foundation Trust, Zimbabwe
- Munyaradzi Blessing Doma, Senior Reporter, Zim Now and Health Communicators Forum of Zimbabwe
- Conrad Mwanawashe, Executive Producer, Maricho Media, Zimbabwe
- Nyasha Cathrine Mutena, journalist, Zimbabwe
- Rita Widiadana, senior journalist and former Editor, The Jakarta Post, and Board member APCAT Media, Indonesia
- Thelma Atiboket Tshuma, Community Educator, Community Young Influencer, Zimbabwe
- Tanyaradzwa Diana Rusike, Health Reporter, The Sunday Mail, Zimbabwe
- Kathryn Cleary, Member Engagement Coordinator, Internews - Health Journalism Network, South Africa
- Nirasha Piyawadani, Journalist/ Programme producer, Center for Media and Information Literacy, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Nurul Islam Hasib, Special Correspondent, Dhaka Tribune, Bangladesh
- Isaac Omo-Ehiabhi Eranga, Editor/Publisher, IOE Publishers, Benin City, Nigeria
- Shardul Nautiyal, Bureau Chief, Saffron Media Pvt Ltd, Mumbai, India
- AHM Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication
- Paddington Muguti, News Producer, Platinum FM, Zimbabwe
- Harry Surjadi, Independent Science Journalist, Board Member of the World Federation of Science Journalists, Indonesia
- Bobby Ramakant, CNS, India, and Programme Committee member of World Conference of Science Journalists 2023
- Shobha Shukla, CNS, Asia Pacific Media Alliance for Health and Development and GAMA Coordinator
