Twelve journalists and representatives from the Lao Ministry of Information are exploring the concept of "One Health" in Thailand
Related project
Media for One healthTwelve journalists and representatives from the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism travelled to Bangkok from January 13 to 17 to engage with researchers, academics, and government officials who are implementing the "One Health" approach to tackle health and environmental issues in Thailand.
Immersed in Bangkok
This week of exploration marked a significant milestone for the "One Health Media" project and for the group of journalists and representatives from the Laotian Ministry of Information, accompanied by CFI. The year 2024 was dedicated to familiarizing themselves with the "One Health" approach in Laos and understanding the challenges associated with this scientific framework that integrates human health, animal health, and environmental factors. This knowledge is crucial for better preventing risks such as virus transmission, antibiotic resistance, and the unwanted effects of pesticides.
In November, they had already departed from the capital, Vientiane, to engage with local NGOs and scientists dedicated to safeguarding both public health and ecosystems.
As they usher in 2025, this week of discovery took a further step in broadening their perspective by bringing the same group to engage with authorities, researchers, and communities in Thailand who are implementing the "One Health" approach. This experience not only deepens their understanding of the efforts being made in this neighbouring country but also enhances their grasp of the international connections among various institutional and scientific "One Health" networks.
A Week of Dual Opportunities
Staying true to the project's vision, this week combined scientific meetings with media training. The focus was on mobile journalism, aimed at creating engaging, visual content that simplifies complex environmental and health issues. Under the guidance of Akanksha Saxena, a media trainer and journalist from Deutsche Welle, the Laotian participants enhanced their video reporting skills using smartphones. They honed their shooting and composition techniques, learned how to effectively pitch a story, and explored the technical, narrative, and ethical dimensions of mobile journalism.
The training sessions have focused heavily on developing strong narrative arcs and comprehensive storyboards, which are essential tools for structuring reports. This ensures a logical progression of events and a powerful message. These prerequisites were crucial for participants to effectively engage in the second part of the week, which was dedicated to meetings with NGOs and scientists. This preparation allowed them to outline their filming projects for the upcoming days, aimed at producing video content that explores the application of the "One Health" approach in Thailand for addressing medical and environmental challenges.
The Wat Luang Phrommawat temple, located in Chonburi province, is home to a significant colony of fruit bats (genus Pteropus, also known as Flying Foxes), just about two hours from Bangkok. This day trip provided participants with a unique opportunity to observe the collection of bat urine samples for research on the Nipah virus.
Additionally, they had the chance to interview Dr. Supaporn Wacharapluesadee, a researcher at the Thai Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases affiliated with Chulalongkorn University. With over twenty years of experience in the field, she employs a "One Health" approach in her studies. These discussions enriched the group's understanding of the role fruit bats play in the transmission of the Nipah virus and the strategies being implemented to prevent its spread.
The encounter with Dr. Wacharapluesadee and her team facilitated valuable exchanges, which were documented on-site to create awareness videos about the Nipah virus and the methods to contain it.
An example from Lao National Radio: www.facebook.com/lnrlao
Engaging with other stakeholders in the "One Health" initiative
The remainder of the week focused on editing the produced videos and visiting various institutions, including Mahidol University, which is renowned for its public health research, particularly in emerging diseases and antibiotic resistance, all viewed through the "One Health" lens.
Thai institutions were also represented during a meeting with the Department of Disease Control, part of the Ministry of Public Health, where Dr. Pahurat K.T. delivered a lecture on crisis communication, using Thailand's COVID-19 management as a case study. Dr. Pahurat emphasized how advanced collaboration between journalists and authorities, rooted in data transparency and mutual trust, facilitates the dissemination of vital information regarding preventive measures and health protocols.
This innovative training format has equipped journalists and representatives from the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism with essential mobile journalism techniques, enabling them to create engaging and accurate informational videos on public health and environmental issues.
Their week in Bangkok also enhanced their understanding of the "One Health" principles, which they can now incorporate into their efforts to raise awareness among their audiences.
ENext March, this same group will participate in a fact-checking training session. Scheduled to take place in Vientiane, the program aims to provide them with innovative methods and techniques to combat misinformation related to medical and environmental topics.
