By Josephine Sesay
In a powerful demonstration of national unity and commitment to public health, first lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio led hundreds of Sierra Leoneans in a nationwide awareness walk to combat diabetes one of the country’s fastest-growing non-communicable diseases.
The walk, held in honor of his excellency president Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s birthday, took participants from the Youyi Building to the picturesque Aberdeen Beach in Freetown, along the route, walkers held placards and chanted messages promoting healthy lifestyles, creating a vibrant yet purposeful atmosphere.
Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, a long-standing advocate for health and women’s empowerment, delivered a stirring address to participants at the end of the event; we are walking to raise awareness about the impact of diabetes. This is in honor of all those suffering in silence, let us walk together to defeat diabetes, she said.
The event aimed to spotlight the rising burden of diabetes in Sierra Leone and the need for early detection, better public education, and lifestyle changes to reduce risk, it also emphasized the personal stories behind the statistics families quietly grappling with the disease without adequate support or information.
A wide range of participants joined the event, including government officials, healthcare workers, civil society leaders, and ordinary citizens, many also saw it as an opportunity to show support for the president while contributing to a vital national cause, the walk concluded with interactive community engagement sessions at Aberdeen Beach, where health advocates shared information about diabetes prevention, symptoms, and the importance of regular check-ups.
Organizers hailed the strong turnout as a sign of growing public interest in tackling non-communicable diseases and fostering a culture of preventive health in Sierra Leone, this walk is more than a celebration it’s a movement, one organizer noted, it shows that the fight against diabetes is gaining momentum, and that together, we can build a healthier nation.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 14th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
