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By Rasheedat Oladotun-Iliyas
The National Press Foundation (NPF) has announced the selection of 62 journalists from across the globe for the 2025 Rare Disease Reporting Fellowship, scheduled to hold from November 17 to 21, 2025.
This year’s training, themed “Reimagining the Future: Communicating What’s Possible in Rare Disease Innovation,” will help participants strengthen their capacity to report on breakthroughs and challenges in the diagnosis, treatment, and policy landscape of rare diseases worldwide.
According to the NPF, 20 journalists will each receive a $2,000 grant to support travel and reporting on rare disease stories of their choice.
All fellows will take part in on-the-record briefings and interactive Q&A sessions with top medical experts, patients, caregivers, advocates, and veteran health journalists.
The fellowship, sponsored by Fondation Ipsen, aims to advance informed, compassionate, and evidence-based storytelling on rare diseases that often receive limited media attention.
“Through this fellowship, NPF continues its mission of empowering journalists to tell meaningful health stories that inspire awareness, policy action, and global change,” the organisation stated.
Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya lead the list of African countries represented in the 2025 cohort.
Full List of Selected Fellows, Their Media Outlets, and Countries:
Ghana
Alex Ababio – Ghanaian Watch
Ibrahim Abode – Freelance
Caleb Ahinakwah – Joy Online
Jennifer Ambolley – The Chronicle Newspaper
Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey – Ghana News Agency
Nigeria
Abimbola Abatta – Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ)
Hammad Abdulrasheed – Freelance
Fawaz Adebisi – Freelancer
Funmiloa Afolabi – FM Akure
Usman Aliyu – News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Sodeeq Atanda – Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ)
Stephen Kenechi – TheCable
Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal – Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (Bond FM)
Rasheedat Oladotun Iliyas – Radio Nigeria Harmony FM
Rakiya Abubakar Muhammad – RM Times
Uganda
Davis Buyondo – New Vision
Teddy Dokotho – Daily Monitor
Aminah Shakirah Nalugo – Vision Group
Chowoo Willy – Elephant Media
Simon Wokorach – Uganda Radio Network, The Cooperator Magazine, Greater North News Agency
Sharon Muzaki – Nature Africa
Kenya
Robi Chacha – K24 TV
Lilys Njeru – Nation Media Group
Angeline Ochieng – Nation Media Group
Pauline Tom – Health Business Magazine
Kevine Omollo – Lake Region Bulletin Robert
Wanjala Kituyi – Journalism Hub East Africa / The Standard
Rwanda
Ndushabandi Charles – People TV Francine
Andrew Saro – Fezaa.com
South Africa
Ida Jooste – Bhekisisa
Marcia Moyana – Freelance
Malawi
Leonard Masauli – Malawi News Agency
Florence Mwale – The Times Group
Burundi
Ferdinand Mbonihankuye – ibihe.org
Eswatini (Swaziland)
Nokukhanya Musi–Aimienoho Inhlase – Centre for Investigative Journalism
Zimbabwe
Evans Jona – Post On Sunday
India
Somrita Ghosh – Independent
Mangaiyarkarasi J – The Hindu Businessline
Cheena Kapoor – Freelance
Safina Nabi – Independent
Jinia Sarkar – Pratidin Prakashani Pvt. Ltd
Shailaja Tiwale – Independent
Pakistan
Asim Ahmed Khan – The Friday Times
Saman Khan – VoxBox / Freelance
Bangladesh
Rashad Ahamad – New Age
China
Shji Huang – South China Morning Post
Japan
Asako Takaguchi – Kyodo News
France
Anne deLoisy – Epsiloon Seda Karatabanoğlu – CancerDisinfo
Germany
Datli Baran – Freelance
Sweden
Anna Larsson – Swedish National Radio
Republic of Kosovo
Albina Kastrati – Freelance
Colombia
Carlos Cordero – El Pais, DDRN, Contexto, The Guardian
Brazil
Márcia Dementshuk – Agência Pública
United States
Laura Clisanchez – La Esquina
TX Alicia Garceau – Independent
Linord Moudou – VIP News Network
Abigail Ruhman – KERA
Jesse Steinmetz – Freelance / Live Science
Philippines
Ludwig Federigan – The Manila Times
Malaysia
Li Wei Soon – Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA)
Canada
Simon Spichak – Being Patient
The fellowship continues the National Press Foundation’s legacy of advancing global health journalism and supporting reporters who spotlight underreported health challenges.
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