Engaging Youths in Overcoming the NCDs Burden
By Nadege Ngeh
CBC Health Services’ Non Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control program (NCD-PCP) is strengthening steps in overcoming NCDs by targeting youths as a means of sustaining efforts to curtail the spread of NCDS. As the leaders of today and the future, the adolescent population is the largest the world has ever seen. Apparently, governments are not doing enough to promote their health and stem the growth of NCDs. The CBC Health Services’ NCD-PCP is a call for young people to be included in the dialogue around NCDs.
What is more, “Two third of premature NCD deaths are associated with behaviours initiated during youth and early adulthood,” states the RTI International research brief on investment case for reducing Non Communicable Disease Risk factors in adolescents. The research brief underscores the importance of NCD prevention during youth and early adulthood.
Young people are still unaware that they are the most vulnerable to the causes of NCDs. As long as they do not feel sick, they do not see a need to check their vital health numbers. The CBC Health Services’ Diabetes and Hypertension clinics and screenings have received mostly older people checking themselves; only 18.4% youths check their health.
With this in mind, the NCD-PCP team imparted more than 3,000 youths at the Cameron Baptist Convention National Youth Conference in Ndu, Donga Mantung Division of the Northwest Region, from July 30 to August 4, 2018 on the need to prevent NCDs in their youth by reducing NCD risk factors.
Oliver Nshom, a participant at the Conference said, “After listening to all the disturbing presentations on NCDs, I have resolved to be active and to regularly exercise in order not to be a victim of NCDs. Clearly NCDs are killing so many today. I don’t want to be left behind, there is no success without health and, therefore, my health is primordial.”
In Baligham village in Santa Subdivision, the NCD-PCP took advantage of the United Youths Organization’s (UYO) two-day program to raise awareness on NCDs. From August 10-11, 2018, a total of 42 youths were empowered to join the action against NCDs. Under the topic “Youths and NCDs,” the NCD-PCP team craved the indulgence of participants on the vital role youth have to play to help lift the burden of NCDs and its risk factors. The youths were encouraged to avoid NCDs risk factors like tobacco use, alcohol misuse, and physical inactivity. They were advised to adopt healthy eating habits whilst exercising regularly.
Present at the event was the Mayor of Santa Sub-Division who also doubles as the Fon of Baligham, CEO of United Youths Organization and Operations and Commercial Manager of AGRODYKE CEMAC & ECOWAS Block.
Young people have the model but not the results. Their energy is an invite for those in charge of the future generations to guarantee their progeny. Involving youth in the fight against NCDs is investing in their health and ensuring a prosperous and sustainable society.