In December 2019, Wholesome Health Promotion (WHP) launched a Diabetes awareness campaign with an emphasis on gestational diabetes, fostering its Wellness Program in Cameroon.

The highlight of the 2019 campaign, included blood sugar testing, the donation of a blood sugar machines and nitrile gloves to the partner hospitals, Mount Mary Hospital, Buea, and PMI, Limbe.

WHP also organized two successful gestational diabetes awareness workshops, including a Handwashing campaign, in both hospitals.

The WHP Team

WHP focused on Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) because it is estimated that between 5-17% of pregnant women in Cameroon suffer from GDM. Also, in Limbe alone, 1 in 5 pregnant women tested in a study had gestational diabetes. Women with gestational diabetes are 7 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, which can lead to complicated deliveries. This awareness campaign is essential because if left unchecked, the prevalence rates of GDM may my become higher, affecting future generations.

The goal of the handwashing portion of the seminar was to help participants understand among others, how bacteria gets into our hands, which could also be transmitted into our food, when and how to wash our hands to prevent diseases, and why it is important to make handwashing a habit in our quest for a wholesome healthy lifestyle. Another worthy partnership was established with the Limbe Urban Council to carry this awareness with a
focus forward.

A Cross-section of participants at the Limbe workshop

The workshops which had a total of about 200 participants—with about half of them pregnant women or new mothers—focused on risk factors and complications of gestational diabetes, the health impact of gestational diabetes to pregnant women, and strategies for preventing and managing gestational diabetes, while the Handwashing campaign focused on simple hand hygiene practice, demonstrating proper handwashing techniques to help prevent the spread of germs.

WHP will provide continued support to a target group of patients throughout their pregnancy, in collaboration with the partner hospitals and has partnered with the Limbe urban council to continue to educate the public about hand hygiene practice with a focus of food vendors.

Thank you all for being part of this campaign and for making it possible with your financial and other contributions. We at WHP are eternal grateful and count on your continued support.

WHP members with nitrile gloves donated to Mount Mary and PMI hospitals