The Association des Médias en Ligne du Tchad (AMET) has expressed concerns over difficulties in accessing health information in hospitals in N'Djamena, Chad. In a press release on November 2, 2026, the organization denounced restrictions that hinder the work of private media, as the country faces a dengue outbreak and a surge in patients in healthcare facilities.
According to testimonies from its members, some hospital officials have received instructions from the Ministry of Public Health's Communication Directorate to limit access to hospitals for private media and interviews with health officials. The AMET finds these restrictions worrisome, given the population's need for reliable information on the epidemic's evolution, case numbers, and death toll.
The association believes that transparent and regular communication is essential for public health and that a lack of official information may fuel rumors and misinformation. The AMET recalled the crucial role of media in raising awareness among the population and called on the Minister of Public Health to intervene to ensure equal and non-discriminatory access to health information for both public and private media.
The organization advocates for the regular publication of official data and organized, supervised reporting and interviews in hospitals, respecting medical confidentiality and patient dignity. The AMET also deplored the recurring difficulties in accessing information from certain institutional communication services.
The association warned that, without concrete measures, it might call on its members to suspend coverage of institutional communication activities by the Ministry of Health, while maintaining their work on general health issues. The AMET emphasized that transparency in health information is not a favor granted to the media but an indispensable requirement for preserving citizens' trust, especially during health crises.
The AMET stated that it is open to dialogue with health authorities but insisted on the importance of transparent health information. The organization seeks to ensure that the public receives accurate and timely information to make informed decisions about their health.
The restrictions on hospital access have sparked concerns about the government's commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of the dengue outbreak. The AMET's press release highlights the need for the government to prioritize the public's right to information, particularly during times of crisis.
Key points
- The Association des Médias en Ligne du Tchad (AMET) denounces restrictions on access to hospitals for private media amid a dengue outbreak in N'Djamena.
- The restrictions hinder the work of private media and limit access to reliable information on the epidemic's evolution and the number of cases and deaths.
- The AMET calls on the Minister of Public Health to intervene to ensure equal access to health information for both public and private media.
