By Mama A. Touray
More than 300 diabetes and hypertension patients over the weekend underwent free screening as part of Dr. Erick Yoashi’s health initiative for the African continent.
The Cameroun-born US-based Dr. Yoashi visits Africa every year to provide free screening for diabetes and hypertension sufferers. The idea behind the initiative is to establish the patients’ conditions to enable him to pave the way for the provision of medicines to them within three months.
The day-long screening in Brusubi on Saturday was conducted through Dr. Yoashi’s foundation called Dr. Nana Health Awareness Inc.
In an exclusive interview with The Voice, Dr. Yoashi explained that he conceived the idea of free screening for diabetes and hypertension when one of his parents died of the two diseases following a visit to Africa.
He further explained that his parents contracted the diseases in Cameroun but his father passed on when they were brought to the US.
Dr. Yoashi pointed out that these developments had galvanized him to establish his foundation with a view to contributing to the fight against diabetes and hypertension on the continent.
“I brought the idea back to Africa and decided that I will be making these missions (free screenings) to be able to help others, who are suffering from them,” he told this medium.
Dr. Yoashi, also the President of Dr. Nana Foundation for Health Awareness, explained that he offered free screening in Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Jamaica, among other countries. He pointed out that his trip to The Gambia was the first of its kind.
On the rationale of the initiative: “The objective of the screening is centered on diabetes and hypertension as those are the two deadly diseases that easily kill a lot of our people. And for diabetes patients…One thing, their lives are in their hands, and here in Gambia and Africa in general, our food is high in carbohydrates… lots of rice. So, my advice is to cut down carbohydrates, eat more fruits and vegetables, do exercise, cut down on salt, and always follow up with doctors”.
Senior Nursing Officer at the Kanifing General Hospital, Abdoulie M. Faye, described the free screening as a clinical seminar organized for the residents of Brusubi to help them know their diabetes and hypertension statuses and to advise them.
“We don’t give them medication because legally, a doctor from another country cannot just come and start giving medication in a particular country. So, what we do is to screen them, help them to know their health status, give them advice and we give painkillers to those in need,” Faye explained.