By Binta Jaiteh
The Gambia First Lady and some other dignitaries including Minister of Health, the TRRC lead counsel and among others Saturday joined the Let’s Fight Endo organisation to participate in a walk to raise awareness and sensitize people on Endometriosis and its misinformation.
The awareness walk started from Traffic lights in Fajara and got terminated at the Youth Monument in West Field.
Addressing the gathering on the general guide on endometriosis, signs and symptoms, Dr Firas disclosed that endometriosis is one of the worst diseases a woman can experience, but the key point to it is early diagnosis.
He gave description of the endometriosis saying if the tissue migrates outside the uterus within the muscles of the uterus up to the tube, ovary, bowel, bladder, among other parts “it starts to make a lot of problems.”
According to him, statistic revealed that there are 176 million women worldwide suffering from endometriosis and 1 of 10 women is having endometriosis around the world.
The Dr explained further that before, the diagnosis for it last for an average of ten years but now, he said, there are lots of diagnostic operation as scan for early diagnosis of the disease can be done.
Main symptom is abdominal pain or cramp as 76 percent patients of endometriosis are complaining of menstruation menstrual cramp and abnormal bleeding, of course infertility “this is the main symptom, and endometriosis is responsible for 30 to 50 percent of the infertility of the women, a large and considerable percentage,” he pointed out.
Fatou Jome, founder and CEO of Let’s Fight Endo who is also and Endo Warrior gave a background of the organization.
“Being a victim of the disease, I am determined to assist other women especially those in rural Africa to fight the disease while teaming up with special doctors’ models corporate organizations in Minnesota, and even women across several countries affected by the disease to create awareness beyond the medical community and bring the fight to mainstream media,” she said.
Mr. Ensa Faal, lead counsel at TRRC expressed surprises over the diseases which he said many people like him lack full knowledge about the disease as people not paying attention to it due to ignorance.
He, therefore, called on everyone especially men, sisters/mothers-in-law to accept, tolerate and show sympathy towards people suffering from this disease. “Men especially should change their behaviors and perceptions for women living in this condition and be empathy with them.”
The Gambian First Lady, Her Excellency Madam Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, thanked Let’s Fight Endo organization for organizing the awareness walk to sensitize people about the disease. She also extended appreciation to all those that joined in the walk and encouraged them to spread the message about disease so that others that are not present can be aware of it.
Honorable Minister of Health, Dr Ahamadou Lamin Samateh delivered a long speech on Endometriosis, sexual and reproductive health issues.
The Minister also used the opportunity to discussed great achievements made by the Health Ministry, so far.
Penda Njie K, Let’s Fight Endo Gambia Country Coordinator, Sainey M Ceesay, founder and CEO of Safe Haven Foundation among others made remarks, too, while Monica Davis, program director expressed the organisation’s appreciation to all that present to walk and sympathise with Endo Warriors.