MTN Foundation, SANOFI support hypertension, diabetes patients

MTN Foundation Cameroon and SANOFI, February 18, signed a partnership agreement to fight against Diabetes and Blood Pressure, BP, in Cameroon.

The agreement, which was co-signed on February 18, by the Executive Secretary of the MTN Foundation, Jean-Melvin Akam, and the General Manager of SANOFI, Central Africa, William Tiacoh, has been placed under the patronage of the Minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda.

Within the framework of this partnership, SANOFI and the MTN Foundation shall put in place “Diabetes Clinics” aimed at ensuring screening and treatment of patients suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure which are veritable health concerns in Cameroon.

After an initial phase that began in September 2012, the programme, Health Alert, developed by SANOFI, the MTN Foundation and Ministry of Public Health to fight against Diabetes and Blood Pressure shall continue for two years.

The new programme will enable 4 million people to be sensitised on the prevention of both non-transmissible illnesses, thanks to the use of Short Message Services, SMS and advanced technologies via the telecommunications network of MTN, and ease screening as well as monitor roughly 1,000 new patients per month.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Executive Secretary of MTN Foundation Cameroon, Jean-Melvin Akam, said: “Our commitment beside the Ministry of Public Health and SANOFI Central Africa to roll back the geometric progression of High Blood Pressure, HBP, and Diabetes in Cameroon aligns with the pursuance of actions carried out by the MTN Foundation, since its creation, in favour of public health.

“As a matter of fact, for a decade now,” Akam stated “our Foundation has been fully engaged in the fight against major pandemics. Consequently, we actively fight against HIV and AIDS and malaria, notably.

Furthermore, since 2013, with the United Nations Population Fund, we carry out significant actions in favour of child and maternal health. Patients suffering from renal insufficiency equally find relief at the Yaounde General Hospital thanks to the haemodialysis equipment offered by the MTN Foundation,” he intimated.

“We obviously do not intend stopping there, as I can assure you that, we are going to intensify our actions, since we can only guarantee a better future for Cameroon with a healthy population,” Akam maintained.

The General Manager of SANOFI, Central Africa, William Tiacoh, asserted: “The signing of this partnership with the MTN Foundation signifies once more SANOFI’s willingness to support Cameroon health authorities in the fight against Diabetes and High Blood Pressure.

For many years now, we are at the service of health professionals and support them in their daily routine through customised trainings and services.

Since 2010, we have contributed towards creating 12 Diabetes and Blood Pressure Clinics which are structures developed within health centres to support screening, sensitisation, and therapeutic education of the patients.

These structures enable better treatment and monitoring of diabetics thanks to the support of health professionals,” Tiacoh declared.

The MTN Foundation is the very first corporate foundation created in Cameroon. MTN Cameroon each year invests one percent of its profit, therein.

Since its official launch in 2006, the Foundation has significantly contributed to improving the living standards of communities notably in the domain of health through the following: • protection of maternal health in partnership with UNFPA • - fight against malaria and HIV and AIDS • - construction of maternities and reinforcement of medical equipment of hospitals in Cameroon

- training of health personnel While, SANOFI is a world leader in the domain of health that researches, develops and commercialises therapeutic solutions based on the needs of patients.

SANOFI has fundamental health assets with seven growth platforms: treatment of Diabetes, human vaccines, innovative products, health for the masses, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme.

SANOFI is listed in the Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and New York (NYSE: SNY) stock markets.