No fewer than 50 medical professionals of different specialties will screen members of the population for diabetes, hypertension, and obesity on December 2 and December 3 in all the three subdivisions that make up Limbe.

As a novelty for this second edition of The Walk for Life, the vision-bearer of Central Africa’s biggest community health and fitness event, Njalla Quan Jr says members of the public will also have their eyes screened thanks to a partnership with the Presbyterian Pediatrics Eye Hospital Limbe.

 “This event which is in its second edition will include free screening for illnesses related to lack of physical activities notably hypertension, diabetes, and obesity as well as eye consultation featuring visual acuity test, fundoscopy, refraction, and cataract screening on December 2 and December 3,” said Henry Njalla Quan Jr., Founder of the Njalla Quan Sports Academy and vision-bearer of The Walk for Life.

The community health and fitness event will culminate with a 10-kilometer sports walk on Saturday, December 4, 2021, from the Bota Hospital in Middle-Farms to the Njalla Quan Sports Academy in Man O’ War Bay, Limbe. It will then be followed by a raffle draw with over 150 branded products to be won by partakers of The Walk for Life.

"Although we are expecting 1,000 people to be screened, we have made provision to screen as many as 5,000 people for hypertension, obesity, and diabetes as well as thorough eye examinations. We expect the population to yield massively to this project which is for them. It is free; free medical consultations and free drug dispensation. As Cameroonians, we know how much it costs to get into a hospital, consult, possibly see a specialist and then get drugs. It's been a very difficult year, and I think this initiative comes just in time to provide the general public with a unique Christmas gift," said Njalla Quan Jr.

Dr. Martin Ekiti, technical partner of "The Walk for Life” who doubles as CEO of The Grey Lab insisted that the screening is open to the general public, as well as Saturday’s walk.

“It's not going to be a marathon. It is going to be a walk. Therefore, everybody, including people who may or may not have use of all of their four limbs, can still participate in the walk. The pace is going to be friendly, inclusive of everyone. Last year, we had a 93-year-old lady who did the walk effortlessly.  Before you know it, the over 2-hour walk would have passed like a breeze," Dr. Ekiti said.

Dr. Fanny Matzo, Medical Director of the Njalla Quan Sports Academy Stay Active Club says there will be proper follow-up for those who will be diagnosed with either of the three non-communicable diseases – diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. They will be enrolled for free into the Stay Active Club for closer follow-up.

“These non-communicable diseases expose us to cardiovascular complications. We carry out minimal physical activities. We lead sedentary lifestyles with a diet dominated by sugary and processed foods. It is therefore imperative to measure our blood sugar and blood pressure. These diseases we’ll be screening people for are the leading causes of many eye defects. That is why we will have eye experts to consult and examine those who will turn up,” she said.

Mbua Matofe, Administrator of the Presbyterian Pediatrics Eye Hospital Limbe says teams of fine eyes health experts will screen the general public without charge on Thursday and Friday as their support to The Walk for Life project. Those who will be referred to the Presbyterian Pediatrics Eye Hospital Limbe will not pay any consultation fee, he said.

The general public is therefore invited to the various screening points at the Limbe Community Field on Thursday, December 2 and to the Mile 4 Motor Park, Limbe Old Market (Victoria Eye Hotel), Eze I Isokolo, CDC Camp Man O' War Bay and "Chop Farm" Bimbia.

The health campaigns, organizers say, will take place simultaneously at the aforementioned locations.