By Njodzeka Kernyuy
The Managing Director of Nestlé Cameroon, Aboubacar Coulibaly, has reassured health authorities and the population of Douala about Nestlé Cameroon’s commitment to raising awareness about anemia among communities.
Mr. Coulibaly was addressing the population on Thursday, April 9, at Bonassama, Bonaberi, Douala, during the launch of a campaign to raise awareness among the population about anemia’s challenges and promote best practices for its prevention.
Anemia is a common blood disorder in which a person lacks enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry adequate oxygen to the body’s tissues. It is caused, among other factors, by nutrient deficiencies and blood loss. It is common among pregnant women and children.
That is why Nestle Cameroon, known for iron fortified products, has taken up the mantle of providing clear, practical, and relevant information to help the population make informed food choices that benefit their own health, as well as that of healthcare professionals and the community.
According to its Managing Director, information promotes good eating habits, and nutritional solutions are offered that are tasty, accessible, and that address well-identified needs.
“Through this campaign, we aim to develop this further with the Cameroonian Ministry of Public Health,” Mr. Coulibaly, Nestlé Cameroun Managing Director, said.
According to him, the campaign involves raising awareness about anemia and its consequences, highlighting simple actions that can help prevent it, and mobilising stakeholders around a common goal: how to sustainably reduce anemia in Cameroon within Nestlé’s society of shared value creation.
“We are convinced that the contribution made to the society where it operates, through improved nutrition, creates value for the community and the national economy,” he said. He added that together with Littoral Health, they have the power to make a real difference by placing nutrition at the heart of public health priorities, bringing hope and progress for Cameroonian women.
Speaking to the participants during the campaign launch, the Littoral Regional Delegate for Public Health, Dr. Ngo’o Mebe Saurel, stated that iron deficiency anemia is a life-threatening condition.
“Anemia caused by iron deficiency leads to health problems because it prevents blood and oxygen from circulating properly to all vital organs, including the brain. This will continue to have repercussions on children’s psychomotor development and motor skills,” he said.
He called on the population, especially vulnerable groups, to ensure good dietary practices.
“Vitamins alone are not enough for us, so we need a supplement through our partners,” he said. That is why Nestlé Cameroun, which produces a wide range of food items, including Maggi bouillon, Nido milk, and Cerelac fortified with iron to combat iron deficiency anemia, is supporting the campaign.
“This is very important because if you look at the epidemiological data on anemia, it’s serious; 41 to 51 percent of pregnant women are anemic, and it is largely caused by iron deficiency,” said Dr. Zacheus Ebongo Nanji, Director of Family Health at the Ministry of Public Health, representing Minister Manaouda Malachie.
“We need to carry out this campaign to sensitise our communities and all the stakeholders because a woman who is anemic during pregnancy runs the risk of needing a blood transfusion, and you know, in our milieu these days, it is difficult to find blood,” he added.
The participants, mostly women, expressed satisfaction with the messages delivered while assuring that they would follow good nutritional practices, especially consuming iron-rich foods.