By Kadrie Koroma
Group photo of TASHPUS members and Minister Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah
The Association of Sierra Leonean Health Professionals in the United States (TASHPUS) has paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah to briefed him about their Association on Monday November 27, 2017 at his Youyi Building office in Freetown.
Briefing the Minister, the Team Lead, the Association of Sierra Leonean Health Professionals in the U.S., Madam Aminata Conteh said their Association is a non-profit Sierra Leonean Association that was formed in the United States of America during the Ebola outbreak to support the people of Sierra Leone.
She told the Minister that their purpose in Freetown is to support the people of Sierra Leone with free health care checked on blood pressure, diabetes, information on their status and to reduce the pressure of the heart disease by giving medication were necessary.
Madam Conteh said they are in the country for a week long free checked up to the people of Sierra Leone, adding that they started on Saturday 25, 2017 with awareness match from Connaught Teaching Hospital to Youyi Building.
She informed the Minister that on Sunday November 26, they were at the Motormeh community where they were able to see 643 people, adding that on Monday November 27 they were at the Miatta Conference Centre and was able to see about 700 people.
The Team Lead disclosed that on Tuesday November 28 they will be at Tombo Health Centre, on Wednesday November 29 at the Holy Trinity Church at Kissy Road, Thursday November 30 at the Gadaffi Mosque at Rokupa and on Friday December 1 at the Lakka hospital.
Responding, Health and Sanitation Minister, Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah on behalf of the government and people of Sierra Leone thanked the Association of Sierra Leonean Health Professionals in the United States (TASHPUS) for the laudable initiative, stating that it is a demonstration of patriotism in the highest level to the Sierra Leone people.
He said hundreds of people out their if it were not for this initiative would not know their blood pressure and heart status, adding that never mind the Association is in Freetown for a limited period of time and with limited amount of drugs. He added that with two to three months drug supply is long enough for who cares about his or her health to put in place a plan for his or her health.
The Minister commended the Association for the good work in making sure the people know their blood pressure and diabetes status and looks forward for bigger support for the people of this country.