By Allen P. Lablah, lallenpaye@yahoo.com
Sanniquellie, Liberia-An official at the Nimba County Community College (NCC), Darlington N. Kilay says quality health education is imperative in ensuring a better future for Liberia.
Mr. Kilay said if the youths in this generation are to succeed, there is the need for quality health and educational opportunities, so that they can contribute in moving the country forward.
The Associate Dean of the College of Science and Agriculture further said today’s generation of young people is a major force for social, economic and demographic change.
According to him, their wellbeing in terms of health and meaningful participation is essential to achieving quality future through education and health.
Mr. Kilay was speaking recently at the launch of the Young People Health Peer Educator Program in the NCC auditorium.
Speaking on the theme, ‘’Building a Quality Future Youth through Health Education,” Mr. Klay maintained that health education motivates youth to improve and maintain their health, prevent disease, and reduce risky behaviors.
He noted that if health education is not offered and prioritized in the society, disease outbreak would undermine investment in education like the 2014 Ebola outbreak that claimed thousands of lives in the country.
The Young People Health Peer Educator is a young conglomerated organization established in 2017.
For his part, Mr. Prince Dolo, Executive Director of the youth group said that the Young People Health Peer Educator is aimed at enlightening the minds of youths to know the importance of their health.
He said the launch of the organization will also encourage citizens, especially health organizations to support them in creating awareness on health issues.
Mr. Dolo disclosed that his organization focuses on creating awareness on health issues such as sexual transmitted disease, HIV, gender based violence, etc.