By Emmanuel wise Jipoh
Deputy Information Minister for Technical Services, Boakai M. Fofana, has proposed a new health insurance scheme to help reduce the number of health-related deaths among Liberian Journalists.
This followed the sad passing of Journalist Naway Gumeh, who worked for the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) prior to his demise as a result of protractive illness.
Minister Fofana, speaking at the opening of a book of condolence, for the falling Executive Mansion reporter in the compound of State radio, on Wednesday, 3rd May, said a health insurance scheme would cater to the health needs of journalists in the country, whom he said are unable to obtain funds to cover their medical costs due to financial constraints, which contributes to their deaths.
He stressed the importance of such scheme, owing to the fact of the minimum salary media practitioners earn in Liberia, while calling on the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), and government especially, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to support such endeavors.
“I hope the Press Union, and government entities are here to listen to what I’m about to say, this wouldn’t have happened, if we had a health scheme for Journalists, this is saddening for a promising journalist to die as a result of health complication”, he said.
The Deputy Information Minister for Technical Services at the same time reassures the Government of Liberia’s commitment to the protection of Press Freedom, while urging media practitioners to follow the ethics of journalism and remain professional in their reportage. Editing by Jonathan Browne
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