The Mercy Azoh-Mbi Heart Foundation has begun a cardiovascular health sensitisation and screening programme for personnel of the Hydrocarbons Prices Stabilisation Fund (CSPH), with plans to extend the exercise to the institution’s regional offices.
The initiative seeks to identify cardiovascular risk factors early, provide health counselling and recommend medical follow-up where necessary, particularly for employees whose work involves prolonged sitting.
Speaking during the outreach at CSPH headquarters in Yaoundé, Dr Cesse Kole, Country Manager of the Heart Foundation, said the exercise was part of the institution’s annual medical evaluation for its personnel and a continuation of activities marking World Heart Day, celebrated on September 26.
“The personnel are going to benefit from counselling on cardiovascular health,” Dr Kole said, noting that sedentary working conditions could expose employees to certain risk factors.
He said the screening was intended to detect potential health problems early enough to facilitate appropriate medical recommendations and treatment where necessary.
The exercise includes checks of blood pressure and other vital signs, alongside blood glucose and cholesterol assessments, to help identify factors that may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
According to Dr Kole, the collaboration is expected to extend beyond Yaoundé to CSPH’s regional offices bringing cardiovascular health awareness and screening closer to more employees.
He explained that the foundation and CSPH had been in contact for about a year, with the current exercise marking their first joint screening activity.
“This is the first time that we are coming here, but the aspect of physical screening for them is a yearly thing,” he said, expressing hope that the collaboration would continue in the future.
The foundation’s participation follows an invitation from CSPH management and those responsible for organising the institution’s annual medical evaluation.
The outreach highlights the importance of preventive healthcare in the workplace, particularly through routine screening, early detection and lifestyle counselling. Health professionals encourage workers to monitor their blood pressure, maintain balanced diets, remain physically active and seek medical attention when potential warning signs are identified.
The Mercy Azoh-Mbi Heart Foundation focuses on cardiovascular health promotion, screening and education.