Sunu Reew Medical Mission has certified a not-for-profit organisation, Values of Affordable Education (VOA) Charity, recently in The Gambia.
The Mission gave the Certificate of Recognition to VOA for participating actively in health outreach on diabetes and High Blood Pressure (HTN).
Speaking on this recognition, the founder of the NGO, Dr. OlaBisi Adekoya expressed gratitude to SRMM, emboldening it to use its broad platforn to leverage bridging the healthcare gap in Gambia. Let us continue to wipe out diabetes and HTN in Gambia through health education.
Adekoya stated that the Sunu Reew Mission’s goal resonates with VOA; hence, her participation in the health exercise.
OlaBisi explained that the goal of this year’s mission was to address the gap in the healthcare in Gambia as it continues like other African countries to suffer from brain drain, losing smart professionals and talents every year to the western countries.
VOA’s founder Dr Olabisi Adekoya, who is a clinical data expert, pharmacologist, and philanthropist, noted that she was part of the mission’s team which also included medicine sub specialties pediatrics and anesthesiology, nursing, Allied health comprised chiropractic medicine physiotherapy, Family nurse practitioner and Physician Assistant.
This was just as she encouraged the participants not to throw the knowledge under the carpet, reminding them that health is wealth.
“I would like to use this opportunity to express my gratitude to Sunu Reew Medical Mission (SRMM) for finding me worthy to be called upon this exercise and consequently certified. It is indeed soul lifting.
“As a clinical data expert and pharmacologist, issues of diabetes and HTN are of great concern and should be taken seriously.
“I must confess that I was delighted to know that the goal of this year’s mission was to address the gap in healthcare in Gambia.
“This is because Gambia, like many African countries, continues to suffer from brain drain, losing smart professionals and talents every year to the Western countries.
“As of 2024, The Gambia’s population is approximately 2.76 million, according to United Nations estimates. In 2021, according to the World Bank report, there are about 1 physician per 10,000 people way below the WHO recommended minimum ratio of 1:600. The physician-to-population ratio remains a critical concern for the country’s healthcare system.
“As of July 2024, Nigeria’s population is estimated at approximately 229 million people. In Nigeria, recent reports indicate that the ratio stands at approximately 2.2 doctors per 10,000 people. This shortfall is also primarily attributed to the brain drain or ‘Japa Syndrome.’ Over the past five years, about 16,000 doctors have left Nigeria, exacerbating the already critical shortage of medical practitioners.
“Hence, we supported the SRMM health outreach’s use of the holistic approach which entailed fully immersing the arts in medicine. This facilitated the incorporation of health education and digital storytelling through screening of short movies on mental health, diabetes, acceptance of loss, and grief. These movies were courtesy of the Silicon Valley African Film Festival (USA).
“I can assure you that Mission successfully sensitized people to know their numbers when it comes to diabetes and hypertension.
.
“In conclusion, i would encourage participants to commit and be compliant with the knowledge gained as we would all collectively agree that health is wealth.” She said.
