When silence becomes dangerous: The hidden health threats Southern Africa cannot afford to ignore

Gweru— For millions of people across Southern Africa, the greatest health threat may not be the disease itself, but discovering it too late. Hypertension and diabetes can quietly damage the body for years, while infertility remains shrouded in stigma, misinformation and misplaced blame — making early screening and responsible journalism crucial weapons in the region’s health fight.

These concerns came under the spotlight during the Merck Foundation Health Media Training held via videoconference on 2 September 2026, where medical experts and journalists examined the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and reproductive health challenges across the region.

The training was organised in partnership with the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, an Ambassador of the Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” campaign, the Health Communicators Forum of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists.

The session brought together health professionals and journalists to discuss pressing issues including infertility, hypertension and diabetes, while examining how accurate and responsible health reporting can help communities recognise risks earlier and seek appropriate care.

At the centre of the discussions was the danger posed by chronic diseases that can remain undetected until serious complications emerge.

Dr Prince Mangwiro of Zimbabwe described hypertension as a silent killer because it often develops without obvious symptoms, leaving people unaware that their blood pressure may already be causing damage to vital organs.

He stressed that regular blood pressure measurement remains essential for detecting the condition, while urging communities to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Dr Mangwiro also highlighted the importance of reducing daily salt consumption to below five grams, pointing out that hidden sodium in processed foods can pose a greater risk than salt deliberately added during cooking.

Undiagnosed hypertension and Type 2 diabetes can contribute to serious complications including stroke, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and amputations.

Dr Moses Chirwa of Zambia said Type 2 diabetes was strongly associated with modifiable lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

He warned that when diabetes remains undiagnosed and untreated, its consequences can extend beyond an individual’s health, placing additional financial and social pressure on families.

Dr Chirwa urged communities to prioritise early screening rather than waiting until complications require costly and complex treatment.

He also stressed that health advice should take account of local diets, lifestyles and economic realities instead of relying on generic recommendations that may be difficult for communities to implement.

The discussions further demonstrated how non-communicable diseases can intersect with reproductive health.

Responding to questions about the relationship between diabetes and male fertility, Dr Mangwiro explained that obesity-associated diabetes can contribute to hormonal imbalances, including reduced testosterone levels, which may affect sperm quality and reproductive outcomes.

However, the experts said the challenge does not end with diagnosis and treatment.

The way health information is communicated can also influence whether people seek help or remain trapped by fear, shame and misinformation.

Journalists were cautioned against sensational headlines and frightening imagery when reporting on sensitive subjects such as infertility, with experts warning that such approaches can reinforce stigma and discourage affected people from seeking medical assistance.

Instead, journalists were encouraged to consult qualified medical professionals, verify health claims and present medical information accurately and in language that ordinary people can understand.

The media, experts said, has an important role to play in turning complicated medical information into practical public-health knowledge — including explaining symptoms and risk factors, promoting screening, challenging harmful myths and directing communities towards credible health facilities.

For infertility in particular, responsible reporting can help challenge the tendency to place blame on individuals or women alone, while promoting a better understanding of the medical factors that can affect reproductive outcomes.

The training therefore placed journalism alongside screening and lifestyle intervention as part of the wider public-health response.

Accurate information cannot replace medical care, but it can help people recognise the need for care before preventable conditions become life-threatening.

For Southern Africa, the message emerging from the training was clear: preventing avoidable deaths requires not only stronger health interventions, but also informed communities and a media that treats health information as a public-health responsibility rather than simply another source of headlines. The Health Media Training is organized to emphasize the important role that media plays to influence our society to create a cultural shift with the aim to raise awareness about a wide range of social and health issues. 

Merck Foundation Health Media Training is a part of ‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Community Awareness Program. The training is addressed by a panel of eminent personalities from the fields of **Fertility, Psychiatry, Diabetes, and media. It **is attended by journalists from Print, TV, Radio, and Online media platforms. The esteemed panel also addresses queries from the attendees.

Since 2017, Merck Foundation has provided their Health Media Training for more than 4000 media representatives from 35 countries in Africa.

The training's objectives include:

To emphasize on the important role that media plays to influence our society to create a cultural shift with the aim to Break Infertility Stigma, Support Girl Education,
Women Empowerment, End Child Marriage, End FGM, and/ or Stop GBV at all levels.
To underscore the importance of Empowering Girls and Women in Education.
To understand the Influence of Infertility Stigma and other social issues like GBV, Child Marriage, FGM etc. on women and couples - Social and Psychological Impact.
To promote a Healthy Lifestyle and Raise Awareness about Prevention and Early Detection of Diabetes and Hypertension- how to report about it to the community. please update and make this a Human Interest: Tells an emotional or compelling personal story designed to raise awareness or touch the heart.