Manila Bulletin reporter Jenny Manongdo has been named one of the Outstanding Health Journalism writers for 2009 by the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID) and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) during the PSMID Annual Convention Friday.

Manongdo was cited for her article, "Leptospirosis: Under the Microscope”, published last October 25. Three other awardees came from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, while the Philippine Star also produced two winners.

"The awardees were recognized for their ability in journalism to create awareness of and response to the impact of infectious diseases and epidemics to public health; thereby, conveying the power of media as a partner in the attainment of the vision, 'to reduce the burden of infectious diseases in the country,” said PSMID Committee on Awards Chairperson Dr. Ma. Cecilia S. Montalban.

Beforeto the awarding, the articles underwent two stringent screening processes. Each report was checked for accuracy of medical information by a committee composed of Dr. Rontgene M. Solante, PSMID Vice president, Dr. Mario M. Panaligan, PSMID treasurer, and Dr. Montalban.

The articles that made it through the first round of screening were advanced to the final judging and were scrutinized by the board of judges headed by Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan, former director of the National Institute of Health (NIH) and a professor at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine.

Other judges include the corporate and market access director of Novartis health care in the Philippines, Christine Liwanag, and the former president of PSMID, Dr. Albert Gabriel.

The groups also cited articles that tackled A (H1N1) in the Philippines; the rabies situation in the country, and the burden of leptospirosis after tropical storm 'Ondoy.'

The winners received plaques from the PSMID and PIDSP along with cash prizes.