Diabetes and hypertension awareness and sensitization campaign in Bateng

The prevalence of NCDs and their risk factors though higher in the urban settings is also rapidly growing in the rural settings of Cameroon. This has accounted for about 40% of all deaths recorded in the last 5years. The rising trend has been documented for hypertension and diabetes and show that about one out of three adults between the ages of 20 to 80 are either hypertensive, diabetic or both with only a quarter of them being aware of their status and very few of those on treatment are having their blood pressure well controlled. There has been a 20% increase from the initial 40% in hypertensive and diabetic cases recorded within the last 10years. These changes largely result from the adoption of unfavorable eating habits, physical inactivity and probable increase in Tobacco consumption and inappropriate use of alcohol. The lack of awareness among this group of people has been linked to Witchcraft and some other cultural myths which in effect is not the reality.

There was therefore a need for massive improvement in awareness through education, screening and establishment of a repeated patient follow-up facility in these disadvantaged and vulnerable communities. For this reason Value Health Africa in collaboration with Banteng foundation, organized a one day free screening program for hypertension and Diabetes at Banteng (a rural and disadvantaged community in the southwest region of Cameroon). They were able to increase awareness by educating and screening over 109 persons for the above NCDs and identified 40 suspected cases. The program also included education on NCD risk factors, the adoption of healthy eating practises and other healthy living habits. Furthermore to ensure proper follow-up of the suspected cases, this team donated equipments and lunched an NCD clinic that will be a place for confirmation of the suspected cases and proper follow-up.

This would not have been possible without the amazing contributions of the various sponsors Mr Tanyi chi Selvanus and Mr Ebonta Rigobert as well as the amazing team members who worked unanimously to see that the people of Bateng received education that will bring about the entire community to an improved state of health. The team led by Mr Nji Emmanuel-outreach coordinator of Value health Africa was comprised of many different professionals in diverse fields of life;  Dr Elvis the chief of center of the Bateng health center, the amazing nurses and workers of the health district, Dr Angu Gideon, Tetuh Grace(Psychologist and coordinator of VAHA), Nelsa Nabila (Nutritionist and head of the nutrition department at VAHA), Ferkamchwi Bertilla (Lab scientist and who is the coordinator of the VAHA’s NCD clinics), Wirba Vela (Lab scientist and VAHA volunteer).