A story in last week’s issue of this newspaper, marking World Cancer Day, caught my attention. From the event’s theme—“Lung cancer can be detected through examination before it spreads and worsens”—to the details of the report, the message was clear: failure of early detection and follow-up remains the leading factor driving Ethiopia’s rising lung cancer rates.
According to the feature, early diagnosis is the most effective weapon against a disease that often goes unnoticed until it is too late. No one develops lung cancer from a single day or week of smoking; it is the inability to quit early, coupled with delayed detection and treatment, that proves fatal.
This brought to mind the advice of Pope Shenouda III, the late leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church. At one point, his team failed to alert him promptly about a problem. By the time he was informed, the issue had escalated. His words still resonate: “Delayed information and action will only intensify and exacerbate matters.” The intent of his team was not ill, yet the unintended consequence was a magnified problem that could have been managed with fewer resources and less damage.
“Prevention is better than cure,” as the saying goes. In medicine, early intervention saves lives. In humanitarian and disaster management, early warning systems allow proactive measures, reducing the impact of natural or man-made crises. The UN’s initiative, Early Warnings for All, exemplifies this principle, emphasizing timely information to reduce disaster risk. Similarly, responsible media plays a vital role in helping people make informed decisions.
Yet information alone is insufficient without the will and action to respond. On a personal level, the value of information is proportional to one’s ability to act on it. I have experienced this firsthand. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). With medication and dietary discipline, I initially recovered. Over time, complacency crept in, leading to a relapse. My physician warned that continued neglect could result in esophageal stricture, a serious complication. What began as a manageable condition became a significant risk simply because I failed to act with consistent determination.
Everyday choices—from drinking water instead of sugary drinks, eating vegetables instead of fatty foods, walking instead of taking escalators, saving instead of spending—require willpower. Knowledge alone does not suffice; commitment and consistent action do. Failures are inevitable, but perseverance, executed with unwavering focus, drives real improvement.
As a nation, Ethiopia faces its own urgent need for early action. We are burdened by genuine concerns: escalating conflict, human rights violations, and deteriorating peace. According to the Global Peace Index by the Institute for Economics and Peace, Ethiopia ranks 144th out of 163 countries, alongside Yemen, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
We have long endured the consequences of inaction. Perhaps the lesson is clear: we must shift from rhetoric to resolute execution. Peace will not arrive through discussion alone; it demands deliberate, focused, and uncompromising effort. The time for words has passed. It is time for deeds.
Contributed by Selamawit Kidane
