The Seventh-day Adventist Church has graduated 262 medical missionaries at its maiden West-Central Africa Division (WAD) Health Ministries International Congress held to address the growing health challenges in Africa.
The maiden graduation which was held at Valley View University in Ghana comes at a time when Africa is dealing with a hike in non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and chronic respiratory conditions. The congress kicked-started on September 2nd to 8th under the theme; “Comprehensive health ministries, a key to the broken world.”
Members from 22 countries participated as health practitioners, health promoters, and health enthusiasts.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) cardiovascular diseases account for 17.9million (32%) of all global deaths. The organization revealed that, there is an identified knowledge-behavior disconnect. People aware of leading good and healthy lifestyles are not seen implementing these.
As a result, the SDA church invested in cardiovascular health by distributing Electrocardiogram machines (ECG) to members from its 22 African countries which is to help detect early heart complications and curb health-related attacks. The machines distributed during the opening ceremony forms part the launch of the 500,000 WAD Heart Health Project.
This gesture marks a significant commitment to enhancing community health and it aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 which is to promote health and well-being. It specifically targets the reduction of premature deaths from non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and chronic respiratory conditions.
Before the congress, the 262 medical missionaries undertook some comprehensive certification programmes conducted in english, french, spanish, and portuguese languages respectively.
“Our mission is to serve the community by providing essential health services and education. We believe that true health encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, and we are committed to promoting this holistic approach,” said Dr. Peter Landless, General Conference Health Ministries Director.
The Principal Investigator of the Africa SDA Health Study (ASDAHS) who doubles as a Professor of the Adventist University of Africa (AUA) in Kenya, Daniel Ganu, in a report presentation revealed that its main purpose is to fill gaps in the population’s health data and better understand how if any, knowledge of health teachings informs health behaviour practice. He mentioned that there is lack of basic data when it comes to health.
“The study is to produce positive behavior changes and improve the general health status of the SDAs in Africa. The implications are transferrable for non-SDAs and the general health of the populations on the continent, particularly in the area of non-communicable diseases. Africa has a data problem, as put forward by Oni (2016), this is true in many sectors,” he stated.
“When it comes to health, there is both a lack of basic population data about disease and an absence of information about what impact, if any, interventions …are having. Researchers simply put, often don’t know who is sick or what people are being exposed to that, if addressed could prevent disease and improve health,” he added.
Dr. Peter Yeboah, Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana said “a transformative change to detect, treat and prevent health conditions will promote health.”
Dr. Paul Amo Kyeremeh, WAD Health Ministries Director mentioned that “participating in this program is a rewarding experience. It’s an opportunity to give back to the community and make a positive impact on people’s lives.Go and save the world”
He went ahead to congratulate the graduating class while advising them to result to Jesus’ method, backed with Science.
Attendees had access to a range of free medical services, including general health check-ups, examinations, and nutritional counseling. These services were provided by a dedicated team of medical professionals and volunteers from the SDA Church around the globe.
Also, the program featured workshops on various health topics such as disease prevention, healthy lifestyle choices, mental health, and natural remedies. These workshops empowered individuals with knowledge and practical skills to maintain their health.
Some tasked speakers were – Dr. Dona Cooper-Dockery, Dr. John Sotunsa of Babcock University, Dr. Natalie Nash, Prof. Ndukauba Eleweke, Dr. SokiprimAkoko, Dr. Seth Agyemang, Dr. James Antwi, Dr. Sikwa, Pr. Simdinatome Leleing, Dr. Kwabena Owusu-Asante, and Madam Margaret Osei-Bonsu with Pastor Dr. Selorm Sessou as Chairperson for the congress.
