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Biogaran reiterates its commitment to Benin by taking part in a vast screening operation for hypertension and diabetes
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On September 26 and 27, France’s leading generic pharmaceutical company Biogaran took part in a screening campaign for cardio-metabolic diseases, including hypertension and diabetes, in the town of Bembèrèkè, Benin. Entitled “Know your heart to use it better”, this campaign was initiated by the Evangelical Hospital of Bembèrèkè under the leadership of Dr. Kassouin, Cardiologist and Head of Cardiology service.
The aim of this initiative was to raise awareness among the Beninese population of Bembèrèkè and its outskirts, particularly Gamia, of the importance of preventing cardio-metabolic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, which are on the increase in Africa [1] [2]. Indeed, screening is essential in order to be able to initiate appropriate treatment for patients in the event of a positive diagnosis.
The need to diagnose cardiometabolic diseases in Benin:
Screening plays a key role in the fight against diabetes and hypertension, two diseases that are on the rise in Benin. Given their worrying prevalence – more than one in four Beninese suffer from hypertension (25.9%), and diabetes now affects a growing proportion of the population, with a steady increase since the 12.4% recorded in 2015 – it is becoming essential to take action to curb their development. These statistics, shared by the World Health Organization in 2020, testify to the urgency of taking concrete measures to protect public health. [3]
More than 1,000 people were diagnosed during this screening program. Each patient was cared for by the 25 healthcare professionals mobilized for the occasion. Nearly a third of patients were found to have hypertension, and around thirty had diabetes. These results were obtained under the supervision of Dr. Kassouin and with the support of Biogaran, who provided the medical equipment needed for diagnosis, including medical consumables, blood pressure meters, test strips and needles.
After several screening campaigns carried out in Parakou and Cotonou, this operation once again reaffirms the Biogaran laboratory’s commitment to access to healthcare for all and marks an important step in the fight against these pathologies in Benin, particularly in rural areas where healthcare provision is limited.
Biogaran’s commitment to access to healthcare for all:
As a reminder, Biogaran has a wide range of medicines to treat cardio-metabolic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as cancerous diseases and some of the most common pathologies in the country, such as infections. Biogaran medicines available in Benin are produced in strict compliance with European standards, 90% in Europe and 50% in France [4].
The laboratory is also committed to training local healthcare professionals, notably through the Biogaran Academy, a free continuing education program in the form of quarterly webinars on a variety of healthcare topics. These courses keep healthcare professionals up to date with the latest medical developments, so that patients can benefit from optimal care.
To find out which Biogaran medicines are available in Benin, click here.