FLSMP organises two-day awareness training on diabetes, hypertension, and kidney diseases

Founder of Future Leaders STEM and Mentorship Program(FLSMP), Abigail Wilson has in collaboration with the Ghana Pharmaceutical Students Federation, organised a two-day awareness program at the Kumasi Anglican SHS and KNUST SHS to educate and create early awareness on the rising epidemic of diabetes, hypertension, and kidney diseases in Ghana.

The program, which is the first of its kind organized by the group in the country, was held on Thursday (November 17) and Friday (November 18) was geared towards mitigating the rampant increases in diabetes, hypertension, and kidney diseases. 

According to a statement released after the program, there is an increase in diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease among Ghanaians, necessitating extensive awareness creation and emphasizing the importance of educating young people about the diseases. 

“More than one in four adults in Ghana has hypertension, and 6% of Ghana’s population has diabetes. It is therefore critical that every high school student be taught the fundamentals of these diseases’ states at a young age. They must know and understand the causes and prevention of diabetes, hypertension, and kidney diseases,” the statement noted. 

The group highlighted that “many people assume diabetes comes from candy and soft drinks alone, without knowing that fufu, white rice, and kenkey all contain carbs that turn into sugar in the blood, and when not consumed in moderation and without a healthy lifestyle such as regular exercise, can put one at risk for developing diabetes.”

According to the group, the program has helped to empower and educate students’ minds on chronic diseases, and it will help students understand how local diet and lifestyle can contribute to their overall wellness and wellbeing at a young age.

The awareness program was also used to provide leadership and mentorship to students in order to empower and inspire the over 5,500 students who participated in the two-day exercise at Kumasi Anglican SHS and KNUST SHS. 

As part of the group’s effort to promote and advocate   achievement of goals 3 and 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they will be looking to leverage cross-sector and industry collaborations to replicate the program across high schools in Ghana and throughout Africa.

Present at the event were project lead Daniel Charway, staff from Kumasi Anglican SHS and KNUST SHS, and executives from the Ghana Pharmaceutical Students Federation.

Gladys Mensah

Asaase Radio 99.5 broadcasts on radio via 99.5 in Accra, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 100.3 in Cape Coast and on our affiliates Bawku FM 101.5 in Bawku, Beats FM 99.9 in Bimbilla, Somua FM 89.9 in Gushegu, Stone City 90.7 in Ho, Mining City 89.5 in Tarkwa and Wale FM 106.9 in Walewale
Tune in or log on to broadcasts online: www.asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
Live streaming: facebook.com/asaaseradio99.5. Also on YouTube: Asaase Radio Official.
Join the conversation. Call: 020 000 9951 or 059 415 7777. Or WhatsApp: 020 000 0995.
#AsaaseRadio