EXCLUSIVE: Vitalio Angula’s Award-Winning Reporting on Namibia’s HPV Vaccine Rollout

In an exciting development, freelance journalist Vitalio Angula, associated with the Voice of America, recently received an award for his outstanding work at the inaugural One Economy Foundation’s Journalists Awards, Angula’s award-winning piece, a radio story titled “Namibia to Introduce HPV Vaccine,” delves into the crucial topic of cervical cancer prevention.

About the Award-Winning Journalist: Vitalio Angula, a seasoned freelance journalist, expressed his gratitude for the recognition and shared details about his acclaimed story. The radio piece focuses on Namibia’s efforts to introduce the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine, a crucial deterrent against cervical cancer.

The Significance of the HPV Vaccine: Angula underscores the importance of the HPV vaccine in preventing cervical cancer, which ranks as the second most prevalent cancer among women aged 17 to 49. Notably, the First Lady of Namibia, also the president of the Organization of African First Ladies, has been a driving force behind the advocacy for introducing the HPV vaccine in the country.

Challenges and Stakeholder Engagement: The journalist reveals the challenges he faced in obtaining information about the stakeholder engagement surrounding the HPV vaccine rollout. Stakeholders initially hesitated to involve the media due to concerns about misinformation. Undeterred, Angula attended a stakeholder meeting at the Avani Hotel, where he gathered valuable insights and audio clips from key presenters.

Resourceful Journalism and Encouragement for Peers: Angula shares a powerful message for fellow journalists, encouraging them not to be discouraged in their pursuit of information. He emphasizes the diverse avenues available to gather news and highlights the importance of persistence and resourcefulness in the field.

Investing in Journalism and Future Endeavors: Expressing his gratitude to the One Economy Foundation for the award and accompanying prize money, Angula discloses his intention to invest in new equipment, particularly microphones and lenses. He sees this as an opportunity to enhance the quality of his work, especially as he aims to play a significant role in covering the HPV vaccine rollout in Namibia.

Empowering Media’s Role in HPV Vaccination Advocacy: Looking ahead, Angula envisions the media’s role in encouraging women to get vaccinated with the HPV vaccine. He recognizes the potential impact of media in raising awareness and contributing to the success of the vaccination campaign.

Vitalio Angula’s award-winning reporting not only highlights a critical health initiative in Namibia but also serves as an inspiration for journalists to navigate challenges and contribute meaningfully to public awareness.