Young expert voices are glaringly excluded/ quoted in the media

“During these times, we see the importance of health in shaping every single sphere of our society but it is also our fundamental human right and we should not forget this. My be all and end all is to, and yes I am going to say it, “fix” health systems on this continent (Africa), for as long as patients receive poor quality care or succumb to preventable diseases I will not rest.

I break down what press freedom means in democratic versus non-democratic contexts. The impact of COVID-19 on the media industry is concerning and the world needs to pay attention to it. Finally, some insights into what is traditional versus non-traditional and I sure hope there is some time to play devil’s advocate!”

Dr Shakira Choonara is a member of the African Union Youth Advisory Council, SA and Destiny Magazines Most Powerful Woman under 40, 2017 Woman of the Year in Health, and an independent public health practitioner.

Dr Choonara is a recipient of a number of prestigious awards including being listed as the Africa Youth Awards 100 most influential Young Africans in 2018 and 2019, one of News24 100 Young Nelson Mandela’s for the future, a One Young World Ambassador and an Obama Africa leader.

She is widely-known and published for her work in public health on the fronts of universal health coverage, youth advocacy, health governance, gender equality, HIV, disability and malaria prevention.

Twitter: @ChoonaraShakira
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shakira.choonara