Communicable Non-communicable Disease

“Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, are not passed from person to person” (WHO 2013). True, but what shall we call the instant feeling of emotional distress or the shock we get when a loved one has cancer? Is not an aspect of our health affected anyway? We might not get cancer, but we might feel depressed. Although manifesting itself differently in each individual, something was passed “from person to person”. Just like doctors cannot predict the exact course the cancer might take, the physiological-emotional response to the illness of a loved one remains unpredictable. I mean, for what other reason do health practitioners carefully dictate the declaration of sickle cell anemia to first time parents?

 

Communicable non-communicable diseases,

An oxymoron,

A paradox,

Stick with either or both,

It doesn’t matter.

The fact is it affects us all,

Sucking the marrow from our bones,

Leaving us lifeless with no proper diagnosis.

 

What are we then to do?

Avoid our natural emotional response?

Refuse depression or shock?

Turn blind eyes to the very “thing” we cannot see?

Or

Deny the existence of the murder that assumes no physical form or shape?

 

Communicable non-communicable diseases,

An oxymoron,

A paradox,

Stick with either or both,

It doesn’t matter.

All I know is there is treatment in hope,

There is treatment in love.

 

 

 

Jadesola is an alumna of the University of Calgary's Bachelor of Health Sciences program. She is interested in improving the socioeconomic status of low-middle income individuals by addressing the social determinants of health. Her previous work includes the development of health interventions tailored to the needs of women of ethnic miniorities.