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 order 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 (Press )
