NAYCONF initiates Health Fair
By Sulayman Waan
As part of events at the National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCONF) the health sub-committee in partnership with Fantanka on Wednesday 21st December, 2022 conducted a health fair at St Joseph Senior Secondary School.
The health fair was aimed at screening and checking blood and sugar levels of delegates as well as raise awareness on the health implications of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs) through the distribution of contraceptives.
Monikou Badjie, a health volunteer commended delegates for coming out in their numbers to screened and knows their sugar and blood levels.
“We are glad that participants came forward and are acknowledging the fair because they need to know their health status, especially the young ones,” he said.
He explained that since they started, majority of the people received are youth and this show that the country needs to advocate for more of the testes for young people to know their status and the steps to take about their health.
“We are also giving out health contraceptive pills, you cannot just look at someone and conclude that they are free from STDs and STIs and we are glad that youth are coming out to get them,” he said.
He added: “We are not saying that they are sexually active, but some of them just collect it on behalf of their friends or relative to prevent them from STIs.”
The health team also provided height and weight test (BMI test) to help people know their weight, and whether they are obsessed.
Alagie Jarjue, Executive Director of the National Youth Council commended the health committee and Fankanka for organizing the fair.
“One thing is obvious, we are too engaged with other stuffs that we barely have time to conduct health testes and checkups, except when we are ill. This is relevant. Knowing one’s health status is important and the way forward to improve our health,” he said.
Yahya Sowe, a delegate from West Coast Region said he did not check his health status for over four years. With the NAYCONF free health screening, he was able to confirm and know his health status. “I have never realized that my blood pressure was low until today. This is why it is important to be screening and be aware of one’s health conditions,” Mr. Sowe said.
Sowe urged his fellow delegates to make best use of the screening platform and check their health status.
SW/COB/22/12/22
