SUMMARY OF MESSAGES:

• We all are accountable for our actions and responsible for our environment through good policies.
• Preventing NCDs makes perfect economic sense.
• NCDs are slow in progression, a silent pandemic. NCDs kill and everyone is at risk.
• It’s our duty to sensitize the public on the existence and dangers of NCDs and their risk factors
• NCDs are a leading cause of poverty in many countries and should be prioritized in ours too.

The global week for Action on NCDs is aimed at reawakening people on the presence of NCDs. The action week is in its third year and the theme for this year was ACCOUNTABILITY. RADA Cameroon in collaboration with the Cameroon NCD Alliance, organized a panel discussion\media briefing amidst several other activities under the umbrella national theme “Raising Attention, Promoting Accountability on NCDs at local and national levels in Cameroon”.

This panel discussion was to inform and educate the public on NCDs through the media.  This event was attended by a total number of 35 persons, with 13 media houses represented to cover the event. The panel discussion started at 10:30am. This was a late start due to the power failure which hindered the early start of the discussion. The panelist on board for the discussion where, Mr.Ferdinant Mbiydzenyuy the CEO of RADA/SG of the Alliance, Madam Claudette the North West Delegation of Health, Focal Person for NCDs , Madame Relindis, the Chief of Bureau Health for the Health District and  Madame Mbatu Nessah a youth advocate and representative from Value Health Africa. The Panel was moderated by Irene Mofor, a young Advocate for NCDs.  The panelist present for the discussion were of diverse backgrounds so as to be able to answer the certain question form their various field of understanding. Due to the crisis that was prevailing in the region, the person living with NCDs who was invited to the panel was unable to get a taxi to arrive on time. Also, the Person living with Kidney Disease who is a Journalist and was invited to moderate, was unable to come as she was unwell.  

Recommendations by/To RADA and the CACSNA after the session:

• Youths should take up the responsibility to go out in to the public and sensitize the people on the risks associated with NCDs, the various risk factors and how to manage and control them.
• Government should implement a policy ban on the sales of tobacco, sweet drinks and alcohol especially in student environments.
• There should be an improvement in specialty care given to persons living with cancer, stroke, diabetes and NCDs in general.
• RADA should come up with programs that will help facilitate the fight against NCDs in the country.
• As individuals, it is our duty to be aware of the existence of NCDs and work to prevent and control it.

To conclude, we all know that NCDs are not Human friendly and they are not biased they do not look at how rich you are or how poor you are nor do they look at how tall and short you are. They affect each and every one of us. Statistics shows that we are truly living in a generation that is more likely to die before their parents due to the risk of NCDs.  So, we have to take action right now to fight against the spread of NCDs. Let stand together and fight this common cause in other to save our future generations to come. Health is wealth.

A detailed report with speakers specific comments to Media is here: