FG, WHO partner to create Awareness on Disease Control amongst Youths

 Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare,  has assured delegates from the World Health Organization   (WHO ) and Federal  Ministry of Health of  the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with the World Health Organization on awareness creation and other  possible preventive ways of tackling the scourge of Tuberculosis and other non communicable diseases amongst the  youths . The Minister gave the assurance  in his office while playing host to the delegates who paid him a courtesy visit.

Mr. Dare also informed the delegates that the Ministry plans to leverage on sports men and women in other to prevent the spread of  Tuberculosis and  other non communicable diseases,  introduce anti -tobacco Ambassadors for creation of awareness during each of the Ministry’s events, create robust access for screening participants during its events.  Besides, using

 celebrities would play active role as a campaign strategy to  promote  the benefits of healthy living to our youths.

In his remark, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Gabriel Aduda said  that the Ministry is planning to set up sports desks for creating awareness on the dangers of Tuberculosis and other non communicable diseases at every event centre starting with the coming National Sports Festival,  Edo 2020 slated for March.

In the same vein , Dr  Paul Onyeudo  , the Director , Sports Medicine  informed that the Ministry has adopted some measures geared towards minimizing rate of spreading diseases at every sporting centers. Some of these measures, according to him,  include  ensuring  that athletes are medically tested and screened on Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases before participating in any sporting activity.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation , Dr Nick Banatva said that the major reason for their visit is to know the measures the Ministry has so far taken in creating awareness and control to curb the  spread of  tuberculosis among the youths. Continuing, the leader of delegation  stated  that the World Health Organization is  prepared to collaborate with the Ministry in possible areas  aimed at curbing further spread of such  diseases in the nation.

Dr. Nick also advised the Ministry to adopt measures such as, fight against sales of alcohol and tobacco to under aged Persons , engage celebrities to help in promoting the benefits of healthy living amongst youths and also  educate the youths on preventive measures of diseases, stressing, the treatment of  tuberculosis  can drain the patient, family, society and the nation at large.

Chioma Ulor

For: Director (Information )