COVID-19: Young Nigerian Campaigner Urges World Leaders Not To Forget Neglected Tropical Diseases
By: JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Kikiope Oluwarore, from Abuja, Nigeria has been selected as one of just 13 young health advocates from across the globe forming the first-ever advisory board at a new youth-led organization to fight Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Originally from Ibadan, the 33-year-old activist joins an impressive line-up of young talent which includes a scientist from the Gambia, an anthropologist from the Philippines and an entrepreneur from Tanzania on the board at Youth Combating NTDs. One of the first orders of business for Kikiope was to add her voice to that of the World Health Organization (WHO), government officials and a variety of NGOs as they call on world leaders not to forget the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) – which affect one in five people on the planet.
Kikiope joined a virtual global summit organised by Uniting to Combat NTDs which is aiming to keep NTDs on the health agenda as world leaders and policymakers tackle COVID. Kikiope is a public health professional, writer and founder of One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI). She has a DVM degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria; and as a Commonwealth Scholar, she completed her MSc degree in Global Health and Infectious Diseases from the University of Edinburgh. She says: “Nigeria needs to step up its efforts against NTDs. I believe that young people could be a driving force to help escalate that.”
Youth Combating NTDs founder Gerald Chirinda is delighted Kikiope has been appointed to the board. He said, “As the largest demographic in the world, young people are also the largest at risk of being affected by NTDs. Young people represent a key constituent within the community, one that brings energy, innovative thinking and talent. Kikiope has demonstrated passion and focus in her social work to date. She brings determination, knowledge and a clear vision of what she would like to achieve.”
Nigeria is one of 32 countries that have successfully eliminated an NTD since the London Declaration on NTDs was signed in 2012. It was triumphant in eliminating guinea-worm which in 1988 affected more than 650,000 Nigerians. Now the disease has been stopped in its tracks. Kikiope hopes similar progress can be made in the fight against other diseases.
Gerald continued, “Our mission is to build an effective global community of youth like Kikiope in Nigeria who are fighting NTDs, by equipping and strengthening young advocates and leaders with the resources that amplify their voices and influence in innovating and shaping policies that will end NTDs in their communities.
“Millennials can help to end Neglected Tropical Diseases and Kikiope will help us to spread that message.
“We are asking people to join the global pledge at #EndTheNegect”
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of debilitating infectious diseases that affect over 1.7 billion people around the world. They disable, disfigure and sometimes kill.
Youth Combating NTDs is a global community made up of young people who are involved in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
This youth-focused and led initiative is designed to mainstream the participation of young people within the NTD community across all its activities. Youth Combating NTDs is an initiative of Uniting to Combat NTDs and Future Africa Forum.
The full advisory board line-up
- Noella Bigirimana (Chair) – Rwanda
- Matt Hughsam – Canada
- Dr. Neneh Sallah – Gambia
- Enow Awah Georges Stevens – Cameroon
- Dr. Kikiope Oluwarore – Nigeria
- Nilesh Jambhekar – India
- Jona Claire Turalde – Phillipines
- Dr. Joachim Mabula – Tanzania
- Shomy Hasan Chowdhury – Bangladesh
- Geoffrey Otieno – Kenya
- Lucy Fagan – United Kingdom
- Alistair Shingirai Mukondiwa – Zimbabwe
- Mary-Jean Nleya – Botswana
Zimbabwean entrepreneur launches global board to fight Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)
Youth Combating NTDs founder and Zimbabwean entrepreneur Gerald Chirinda unveiled his global advisory board today as he urged world leaders not to forget NTDs in the fight against Covid-19.
Included in the inspirational young line up is a scientist from Gambia, an anthropologist from the Philippines and a fellow Zimbabwean, Alistair Shingirai Mukondiwa.
Gerald Chirinda is proud that so many young people are stepping up to be heard. He says: "As the largest demographic in the world, young people are also the largest at risk of being affected by NTDs. Young people represent a key constituent within the community, one that brings energy, innovative thinking and talent. Youth Combating NTDs is a global community of young people who are fighting to end NTDs. This youth-focused and led initiative is designed to mainstream the participation of young people within the NTD community across all its activities. We empower young leaders that are passionate about learning, with a view of being actively involved in the work of the NTD community in various capacities that range from advocacy to policy making."
Gerald and members of his new advisory board joined speakers from the World Health Organization (WHO), government officials and a variety of NGOs at a virtual global event calling on world leaders not to forget the fight against NTDs - which affect one in five people on the planet.
One of the participants, Zimbabwean student Alistair Shingirai Mukondiwa, 24, is delighted with his new appointment on the advisory board. He says: "Joining the board has been humbling. As a young person and a healthcare student, it's about taking ownership of the future and correcting the past that allowed some diseases to be ‘neglected' simply because of whom they affected. It is exciting that we are assisting community champions to accelerate the fight against NTDs, in countries such as my own and beyond."
Gerald adds: "Our mission is to build an effective global community of youth who are fighting NTDs, by equipping and strengthening young advocates and leaders with the resources that amplify their voices and influence in innovating and shaping policies that will end NTDs in their communities. Millennials can help to end Neglected Tropical Diseases and our new advisory board will help us to spread that message."
The full advisory board line-up
• Noella Bigirimana (Chair) - Rwanda
• Matt Hughsam - Canada
• Dr. Neneh Sallah - Gambia
• Enow Awah Georges Stevens - Cameroon
• Dr. Kikiope Oluwarore - Nigeria
• Nilesh Jambhekar - India
• Jona Claire Turalde - Phillipines
• Dr. Joachim Mabula - Tanzania
• Shomy Hasan Chowdhury - Bangladesh
• Geoffrey Otieno - Kenya
• Lucy Fagan - United Kingdom
• Alistair Shingirai Mukondiwa - Zimbabwe
• Mary-Jean Nleya - Botswana
Source: https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-lifestyle-sc-health-byo-188313.html
Bangladeshi campaigner urges world leaders not to forget NTDs
Shomy Hasan Chowdhury, from Dhaka, Bangladesh has been selected as one of just 13 young activists from across the globe forming the first ever advisory board at a youth-led organization to fight Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
The 26 year-old campaigner joins an impressive line-up of young talent which includes a scientist from Gambia, an anthropologist from the Philippines and an entrepreneur from Tanzania on the board of Youth Combating NTDs, a press release said.
One of the first orders of business for Shomy was to join the World Health Organization (WHO), government officials and a variety of NGOs as they called on world leaders not to forget the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) - which affect one in five people on the planet. Shomy spoke at a virtual global summit organised by Uniting to Combat NTDs which is aiming to keep NTDs on the health agenda as world leaders and policy makers tackle Covid.
Shomy has already received much recognition for her social work, notably the President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold) from President Barack Obama for her outstanding contribution to community service. Most recently she has become the first Bangladeshi to be awarded the 2019 Diana Legacy Award for her humanitarian work continuing Princess Diana’s legacy.
Shomy, a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) activist, says: “"Bangladesh needs to step up its efforts against NTDs. I believe that young people could be a driving force to help escalate that."
Youth Combating NTDs founder Gerald Chirinda is delighted Shomy has been appointed to the board. He says: “As the largest demographic in the world, young people are also the largest at risk of being affected by NTDs. Young people represent a key constituent within the community, one that brings energy, innovative thinking and talent. Shomy has demonstrated passion and focus in her social work to date. She brings determination, knowledge and a clear vision of what she would like to achieve.”
He continues: “Youth Combating NTDs is a global community of young people who are fighting to end NTDs. This youth-focused and led initiative is designed to mainstream the participation of young people within the NTD community across all its activities. We empower young leaders that are passionate about learning, with a view of being actively involved in the work of the NTD community in various capacities that range from advocacy to policy making.
“Our mission is to build an effective global community of youth who are fighting NTDs, by equipping and strengthening young advocates and leaders with the resources that amplify their voices and influence in innovating and shaping policies that will end NTDs in their communities. Millennials can help to end Neglected Tropical Diseases and Shomy will help us to spread that message.
“We are asking people to join the global pledge at #EndTheNegect”
Source: https://www.jagonews24.com/en/amp/50712
