Stabroek News has won two regional awards at the 2008 PAHO/WHO Caribbean Media Awards for Excellence in Health Journalism.
Oluatoyin Alleyne
Senior Stabroek News journalists Oluatoyin Alleyne and Iana Seales have each won a Sagicor prize, for Best News Story and Best Feature/Documentary, respectively, at the annual awards. They were also judged national winners in the categories.
Alleyne was awarded for her report “Preventable cervical cancer silently taking lives,” while Seales won for her feature “Kidney diseases up, says doctor.” They will receive the awards at a regional awards ceremony in Barbados on November 7.
According to letters from PAHO, in bestowing the award the judges found that Alleyne’s report was a well written in-depth examination of cervical cancer. Mean-while, Seales was found to have provided a thorough examination of the issues and the feature was described as well written, succinct and accurate.
They are both past winners.
Alleyne was honoured and pleased by the result. “The story that won me the award was one which really struck a nerve,” she said. “Not because it dealt with women but because it really drove home the fact that women were dying almost every day from something that is curable.”
She said it hurt to hear the stories of the women who suffered from the disease and who ultimately lost their lives because it was not detected early. In this vein, she hoped that after reading the story women went out and got pap smears done and are doing regular check ups. She added: “Women need to take better care of their bodies and while many are in the HIV and AIDS fight, which is equally important, enough attention is not being placed on diseases such as cervical cancer which as the story said is silently killing our women.”
Iana Seales
Seales said the regional recognition is gratifying, counting it as an important achievement in her years in health journalism. “I was compelled to write the piece after a dear friend, Angela Osborne, died after being diagnosed with renal failure,” she explained, adding that she aimed to raise awareness and affect the way people view kidney disease. “Today chronic diseases continue to flood the local health sector; kidney disease remains a critical area of concern. I have to admit that the article benefited from the astute guidance of my editor, who continues to set health as a key area of coverage for the newspaper.”
It was also noted that the judges commended the improved standard of entries from Guyana, saying it demonstrated a passion for details backed by research.
Congrats to both Ms. Oluatoyin Alleyne and Ms. Iana Seales, keep the good work up!
Congratulations to both ladies. I really enjoy articles written by both of them. They tackle issues that I’m passionate about and hope that either one can do an extensive piece on Domestic Violence in Guyana.
In their own way, they can be seen as part of the SOLUTION and CHANGE that Guyana so desperately needs. Ladies, don’t be afraid to be advocates for other pressing issues affecting women and children and citizens at large!!
Well done you two…..Oluatoyin and Iana, we are very proud of you congratulations…keep it up Stabroek News,continue with your great work,I would also like to say “Thank You” for keeping us up to date with the news even though we are so far away!
hats off and congrats to these two wowmen journalists
I believe we still have some talented Guyanese people left in G/T after all
Congregations to you two talented young journalist
This is the kind of positive press we need in the Caribbean bring back some respectability to the country of Guyana
CONGRATS LADIES.
Congratulations!! Ms Alleyne and Ms Seales,,,,, Guyana is Proud of you all…
Also Hats Off to Stabroek News for the Best and Neutral Journalism….
congrats to you two beautiful ladies keep the good work up, and please remember to look around you when you’re out ,we don’t need no more surprises like ALICIA FOSTER
SandHurst First the answer to your question
I live just up the road from your Flight Lt friend
SN should be commended for their vision of foresight when they chose these two beauties with brains to be part of their organisation ,, today they reap the benefits of that decision !,,, no small feat has been accomplished here ,, which by the very act of the accolade that they will achieve ,, from the official commendation ,, speaks volumes of how with dedication to service all can benefit in some way ,,
to you both i say ,, THANKS for raising the Golden Arrow Head to a higher level !..
Andrew Carnegie has this to say !,,,,,,,
” The paper which obtains a reputation for publishing authentic news and,, that which is fit to pirint ,….. will steadily increase it’s influence !,,,,,,
plz,, allow me to add my signature parting words of care ,,,,,,,
stay safe and healthy ,, in the absence of the two ,, all else pales !……..