Light of Hope Foundation offers free medical test, sensitisation
By Sulayman Waan
Light of Hope Foundation – The Gambia recently provided free diabetes and hypertension testing as well as sensitized people on non-communicable diseases at an held at the University of The Gambia (UTG) conference hall.
The activity was funded through membership contributions. The medical test aimed at enabling participants to know their health status, while the sensitization aimed at improving their awareness on non-communicable diseases.
The Gambia ranks 175/188 on UNDP Human Development Index and is hence among the least developed countries worldwide. Diabetes and hypertension are increasingly becoming a serious global public health concern, particularly in developing countries including The Gambia.
In the Gambia, according to Non Communicable Disease (NCDs) Country Profiles 2014, NCDs (diabetes and hypertension) are estimated to account for 32% of total deaths and public health system is not geared towards the prevention and management of NCDs.
Pamela Jayeola, the Founder Light of Hope Foundation – The Gambia said the foundation aims at providing humanitarian service for people, most especially in the health sector.
Mrs Jayeola, also a long time diabetes patient said her foundation organize medical checkups and awareness raising on diabetes and hypertension to ensure people know more about the disease as well as their health status.
“If you control what you eat, do physical exercise and eat good nutrition you can live long,” the over 20 year’s diabetes patient said.
She advised all diabetes patients to control their diet and exercise to ensure they manager the disease.
Ousman Ceesay, the Vice President for Young Diabetes Patient Association of The Gambia described the activity as significant to them, saying the sensitization would enable them to know more about the diseases and help them to control them.
Mr. Ceesay, also a diabetes patient stressed their constraints, saying: “Diabetes patients have a lot of challenges because we do not sleep well and we do not eat every food. It is indeed difficult if you are with people and you see them eating any kind of foods while you are restrict to certain foods.”
Awa Ceesay, a participant said: “The sensitization is very important to me because I am learning a lot from the health experts. So, I will apply the knowledge gained and advise others.”
SW/COB/12/05/23
