Henry Etim Nya
Nigeria
Medicine/Surgery Student
My name is Henry Etim Nya from the Efik tribe, which is a minority tribe in Nigeria. I’m in my 5th-year studying Medicine/Surgery at the University of Calabar, Cross River State.
I love to read, write and share ideas. I am the co-founder and CEO of Bluewealshealth.com, an online health community that provides patients with an online room to discuss health challenges and provide emotional support for each other for each health condition.
What inspired you to enter the World NTD Day Story telling competition?
I was inspired by the epidemiology and disease burden of neglected tropical diseases. The African prevalence as compared to other parts of the world. No one is talking about NTD’s anymore. No global coverage, awareness, donation, funding etc everyone is focused on Malaria, HIV and Tuberculosis. Yet, NTD’s are actively killing members of our population and stigmatization is still very prevalent.
Why does fighting NTDs matter to you?
Fighting NTDs will help the world achieve Goals 1, 2, 3 and 6 of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) which are respectively; End poverty in all its forms everywhere; End hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all and all ages and ensure access to clean water. By fighting NTDs we make the world closer to achieve the above SDG’s.
How do you intend on continuing the fight against NTDs after this competition?
By continuing to raise awareness on our health communities website-blog. We will write more about NTD’s, create NTD communities for people who have NTDs to speak up and be heard and connect with other people that are suffering from NTDs , anywhere in Africa.
What would be your request to your country’s leaders regarding fighting NTDs?
I want Nigeria to strengthen it’s Primary Health Care. Strengthening primary health care allows citizens to afford quick access to treatment and care for all kinds of illnesses.
