CIMAS chief executive officer Vulindlela Ndlovu has urged the media to continue playing its watchdog role by holding health institutions and their leadership accountable, saying transparency is essential for improving healthcare delivery.
He made the remarks on the sidelines of the inaugural CIMAS @80 Media Awards, held as part of the organisation’s 80-year anniversary celebrations. The event also honoured journalists for their contribution to strengthening public health literacy and sharing life-saving information.
Ndlovu applauded the media for being a “vital bridge” in enhancing the country’s healthcare system, noting that journalists are central to shaping public understanding, influencing healthier behaviours, and ensuring institutions remain answerable to the public.
“Continue to shine light on weaknesses within the healthcare system because accountability is central to building trust and improving service,” he said. “Highlight the positives, yes, but also hold us accountable as players and as leaders. If there are things we are not doing well, the media must expose them. People suffer when resources are wasted.”
He emphasised that corruption, mismanagement, and neglect in the health sector carry life-and-death consequences, making the media’s role even more critical.
Ndlovu described journalists as indispensable partners in building a healthier nation.
“No matter how many hospitals we build or how advanced we become, nothing works if the public does not understand the healthcare system. That understanding is made possible by you, the media industry, and for that we appreciate you,” he said.
He added that media engagement goes beyond basic information dissemination, stressing that healthcare is ultimately about influencing behavioural change.
“Healthcare is about our behaviour, and sometimes it’s about influencing behaviour change. That is not going to happen if we don’t communicate to the best of our abilities. This is why we wholeheartedly support the media in deepening conversations about healthcare.”
Ndlovu said building a strong healthcare ecosystem requires active collaboration between health sector players and journalists.
“We want the media as partners in deepening engagement in healthcare. The challenges we face need all of us. It’s not enough to blame governments — we all have a role to play, and knowledge must be shared.”
He commended journalists who entered the awards for their passion and dedication to issues of national importance, noting that their work enables the sector to tackle challenges instead of shying away from them.
“We must face the beast in the eye. Discuss the challenges, engage, and communicate about them. Only then can we become part of the solutions,” he said.
Ndlovu reaffirmed CIMAS’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with the media, acknowledging that although journalists’ contributions often go unnoticed, their impact on public health is profound.
