14 minute read
Column: My High School Valentine by Eva Nakato
from The Voice magazine
According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl—possibly his jailor’s daughter—who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and— most importantly—romantic figure. Contemporary culture dictates that Valentine’s day should be one where people shower their loved ones with love. Contrary to popular belief, a person’s valentine could be anything starting from their partner, family member, pets and friends to mention but a few. One could as well go out and show some love to the poor, the homeless and even orphans. In my home country of Uganda, Valentine’s day is barely forgotten especially by the educated folks and the urban dwellers. As a teenager Valentine’s Day was quite interesting. At that stage, our hearts were still very tender and explosive at the same time. Just like most of my contemporaries, we were at High School. Unfortunately, I was quite a loner for no apparent reasons so I simply watched my close friends and classmates paint the day red and black! Students would do some of the most hilarious things for their high school sweethearts. The girls would endeavour to look their best, applying some ‘cheap’ makeup on their faces since that was all that was available as well as wearing the best perfume they could lay their hands on. Some of the girls also went as far as writing beautifully worded love letters to their ‘boyfriends’. The ones that were students of literature used this opportunity to quote some lines from Shakespeare’s works into these letters. Sometimes the letters would just consist of lyrics to popular love songs. On the other hand, the boys would do all within their means so as to look as ‘macho’ as possible. Anything that could potentially impress the opposite gender would be prioritised. Since they believed that girls loved flowers, the boys would gift their girls with simple plastic flowers that cost less than a dollar, accompanied with some cheap necklaces. When time for our evening meal at school came, the ‘couples’ would be seen eating from a special part of the school cafeteria, munching away their little pocket money savings. They would treat each other to a much better meal like noodles or chapati with beans and beef as opposed to the daily boring meal of posho and beans, a common meal for students in boarding schools in my home country of Uganda. Some of the ‘brave’ chaps would bribe the security personnel at the school gate so as to enable them take their partners to happening places outside of school. Worse still, some of the older students would escape out of the school premises at night during prep time to go to the local pubs have a time of their lives, dancing and drinking till late into the night. Well, most of them were expelled from school after being caught. As of now, most of my former schoolmates are now responsible adults with beautiful families and spouses to celebrate Valentine’s Day with. They all probably now understand the real meaning of Valentine’s Day and hence celebrate it more responsibly. Worldwide, some couples tend to only express love towards each other only on some specific days. It could be a day like Valentine’s or Christmas or any some other day known to them. However, I feel love should be shown and shared each and every other day. We really don’t need a day to direct us on how to love and when to show love to the people we adore. Anyway, at least there is a day to celebrate love worldwide! So, tell me, how was your Valentine’s Day? Did you share some love?
Finally, I would like to read from you as well that I would love to hear from you on this subject probably how it was in your youth days.
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Eva Nakato is a Ugandan based writer and she wants to read from you so write her through info@thevoicenewsmagazine.com
CMA DECRIES RISING INCIDENCE OF CANCER AND CALLS FOR INTEGRATION OF CANCER PREVENTION AND TREATMENT SERVICES INTO FRAMEWORKS FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE.
The Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA) has decried the rising incidence of cancer in the Commonwealth of Nations with a clarion call on governments to integrate Cancer prevention and treatment services within their frameworks for Universal Health Coverage. This call was made in a widely circulated broadcast by the President of the Commonwealth Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, as part of CMA’s activities to mark the 2021 World Cancer Day. In his broadcast, Dr. Osahon Enabulele stated that Cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with about 12 persons dying every minute in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) of the world. Identifying Cervical cancer as a major challenge in the Commonwealth, the CMA President disclosed that the Commonwealth of Nations accounts for about 40% share of the global cervical cancer incidence burden and 43% of the global cervical cancer mortality, and with 85% of deaths from cervical cancer occurring in the LMIC Countries. He further stated that nearly half a million women in the Commonwealth of Nations were living with cervical cancer, with one woman dying from cervical cancer every 5mins. He therefore called for accelerated attention and action to stem the rising tide of Cervical cancer and other forms of cancers, particularly in LMIC countries. Speaking further, Dr. Osahon Enabulele averred that the rising incidence and huge
burden of cervical cancer was a reflection of social injustice and numerous other factors including poverty, and inequities in access to quality cancer care. While calling for more altruistic action on the social determinants of health, the CMA President called for more intense advocacy and public enlightenment on the disease. He particularly urged women of reproductive age group in the Commonwealth of Nations to adopt appropriate health-seeking behaviours and healthy lifestyle practices. He also encouraged them to undergo regular health screening and to present early for treatment at the precancerous stages. He charged them to get vaccinated against cervical cancer. The CMA President fervently called on the various governments in the Commonwealth to act more decisively to flatten the cervical cancer curve and to integrate cancer prevention and treatment services within their country frameworks for Universal health coverage and National Health Insurance Schemes, in ways that would create opportunities for improved access to quality healthcare and cancer services, including cancer preventive, curative and rehabilitative services.
Signed: CMA MEDIA DEPARTMENT
Amsterdam hospital fined €440,000 for breaches of patient privacy
Amsterdam’s OLVG hospital group has been fined €440,000 for allowing unauthorized personnel unlimited access to patients’ medical files. Privacy watchdog Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens (AP) said that between 2018 and 2020 the hospital did not have enough measures in place to prevent breaches of privacy. It was not clear who was accessing the files and the computer systems were not secure, it found. Access to medical files is only granted to doctors, nurses and staff if it is necessary for the treatment of the patient. The AP told broadcaster NOS a tip off from a ‘worried citizen’ and ‘signals from the media’ had prompted the investigation. The hospital authorities were also warned by a student doing a part time job planning appointments. She found she had access to the medical files of friends and celebrities and files dating back as far as 15 years. Despite alerting the management the issue was not dealt with, the newspaper reported. ‘You should be safe in the knowledge that what you tell your doctor remains confidential,’ AP chairwoman Monique Verdier told the NOS media. ‘It doesn’t bear thinking about that people who have no business there can browse in the notes your doctor has made about you. But it happened and that it why the AP has fined the hospital.’ The OLVG will not appeal against the fine and has said the requisite safety measures are now in place. In 2019 the AP fined the Haga hospital in The Hague €460,000 for similar breaches of privacy while data from health board coronavirus systems were stolen recently and offered for sale.
European envoy in Sudan to ease tension with Ethiopia
A European special envoy has arrived in Sudan last month for talks aimed at easing tension with Ethiopia over their border dispute. “The High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy in the European Union, Joseph Borrell, assigned the Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pekka Haavistorr Sudan said in a statement. The visit aims “to help ease tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia, and to find out how the international community can provide support in finding peaceful solutions to the current crises facing the region”, the statement added. Haavisto is expected to stay in Khartoum for two days where he will meet Sudan’s top officials, including Abdelfattah al-Burhan, chairman of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok and Foreign Minister Omar Qamar al-Din. Relations between Khartoum and Addis Ababa witnessed tensions over Sudanese accusations to Ethiopia of supporting gangs that targeted Sudanese territories along with stuck talks over border demarcation. By Ahmed Asmar from Ankara
By Nicholas Jimmy (Jimmie Nicks)
I am in love with her, but her parents deny me an opportunity - my rightful space- to betroth her. Africa is the latest and youngest continent in respect to development and independence. And despite the fact that Africa has its space to govern herself, the continent still suffers from great indifference compared to the rest of the world. While this aspects can be attributed to issues related to its past on colonization which involved syphoning of its strong men away as slaves, post colonialism behaviors like poor leadership characterized by greed and corruption, internal and external conflicts, brain drain and nonsustainable misplaced and ill-advised western ventures for her among others. While the events and occurrences from pre-colonialism still have great impact today, I strongly would point my finger towards post colonialism as having had greater share of the problem if the game of blame was in my head. And while I am not bargaining for atrocities done to Africans by its ‘masters’ to be a case of scot free, it would be misguided for anyone to believe that African continental woes lies squarely on vices done to her. Yes there is what was done against her (Africa) and her people, but there is also what she (Africa) has done against herself and her people by commission and omission.
Time in past, her leaders have been occupied with nonessentials while essential has taken place in her absence. It’s of great craftiness that a continent with over 52 countries and one among only other six continents has no permanent seat in the United Nations - A global platform where global matters are decided. Why must we serve her with artificial rotational position for her sons and daughters while the other few enjoy non rotational permanent positions? While I can forgive her for been absent while this was happening, its idiocy to live with this truth that we are not equal and do nothing about it. The world table is set and they have gathered again if not against us. Dinner is on the table, some will eat on the table but she (Africa) must decide for herself to not eat under the table again. It’s on the table where global direction for the world continents is set; she now must become part of the solution for herself by voicing out her needs. Africa space won’t be given, it must be taken. Her space -my space is within and without. While her leaders must fight for the international space, her people must fight for their space and keep the leaders in check. While inferiority complex may contribute to the challenge of fighting for the international space, Africa need to let the world know of her power embodied in her resources. Africa continent is rich, green and healthy far more than the rest of the world. Anyone who wish to contest against this statement must foremost look into her rich resources, her natural and green weather and her healthy youthful sport stars to mention just a few of their great accomplishments. The world continents today looks into Africa for her resources
but a great share of her fine agricultural produce travel the world. And while monies borrowed by her (African) leaders from International Monetary Fund-IMF and World Bank is emphasized and often looked upon as the sustainability for African projects, it’s important for anyone lied to as such to understand what colonialism did to post colonialism by creating capitalist even of herself (Africa), by this I mean much of this funds end up back to foreign accounts after its stolen by her (Africa) very own greedy capitalist politicians. It’s one thing to create a gold necklace and another thing to coat silver necklace with gold, We all know very well that most African projects are sugar coated and only Her people know once the sugar melts they can only enjoy sugar smelling salt pie. Africa’s space in global economy and market will only be felt if the continent unites towards common goal- AU agenda for
2063, the hope for Africa potential to sit on same level with the global super powers. While this idealism sounds great, it will take more than sitting on table with great economies to be one. The truth of this power lies little in international space and mostly on internal productivity, Majority of her people been the youth, they must now act towards leadership and productivity in growing their economies. And while challenge lie in bills and constitutional amendments that will favor Small Micro Enterprises. The SMEs which are majorly run by youths must have representatives in these government offices not only to be productive but as well to champion the development agenda. In my opinion, Africa still stands a great chance of becoming
a lead continent in matters of economy, I say this because Africa is the new green and the current scramble by other continents of the world to have a share of its untapped resources speaks this in volumes. However ‘one’ must find the green in it and water the flora, and this ‘one’ gardener must be non-other than Africa herself. Then Africa’s peace, dignity, growth and equality will be achieved. But first, Africa must find her space, guard it and own it as ‘my space’ and not our space. I am in love with her, but her parents deny me an opportunity - a space- to betroth her. And since l know this truth, I must face her parents (Africans anti-development political sycophants clinging to offices), and free Her. I will do so without sparing her uncles (Big brothers colluding with these capitalists), Bobi Wine showed me it can be done by taking his first step against a tyranny, and like the Nigerians wise youths, I am ready for my youthful space. By Nicholas Jimmy (Jimmie Nicks) - Panafrican Award winning Community Development Expert The Founder United Global Volunteers International -Int’l NGO. CEO-Kollywood Horizons (Media Business)
