By Ndumbe Gaston Bell
Nestlé Cameroon, a subsidiary of the World’s Food production group, celebrated the World Hypertension Day of Wednesday May 17 by outlining measures taken to make their products free from the impact of nutritive deseases and also to sensitise and educate consumers on their efforts and their challenges. Nestle has as objectives to improve the quality of life and to contribute to a healthy future in society. The challenge is the addition of public health problems which calls for changes in life styles. So, Nestlé has for some decades now, been actively playing the role of supervisor beginning from the farmer who producers the raw materials to the final consumer in the chain.
Some of the steps taken are the continuous sensitization on the relative importance of health and nutrition where individuals and their families are taught to understand the choice of food without unhealthy kick-backs, by so doing society is inspired to engage in healthy lifestyles and at the same time to build, share and apply their knowledge bequeathed to them. Nutritional issues have become far more important than ever now that it has been reported that non-transmissible deseases such as cancer, diabetes and accidental celebral problems are now on the rise in Africa including Cameroon because of wrong dietary programs and physical inactivity or lack of adequate body excercises. There are problems of lack of a balanced diet, as well.
Nestle is said to be determined to fulfill all its 42 objectives as inscribed in the United Nation’s framework of realizing sustainable development in 2030. In a recent report “Nestlé and Society: Creation of shared value and the respect of our 2016 engagements.”, they reinforced their willingness to attain those objectives. According to the Communication and Public Relations department of Nestle Cameroon, the enterprise plans to contribute to what is called the third Objective of the UN sustainable development which is aimed at “enabling everyone to vibrate in good health and to improve the well-being of all ages.”
Society is being sensitized through projects like Maggi star caravan, women’s fora, Nestlé Healthy Kids ,where about 5.500 children are said to have benefitted this academic year alone, and more.