By Ishaq Adamu (YES 2005-2006, Nigeria, placed by IRIS in Grinnell, IA)

My journey to becoming a pharmacist began during my exchange year. The encouragement and support of my host family helped me realize my dream of pursuing a career in pharmacy.

Upon returning to Nigeria, I settled in Sabongari, a bustling town known for its cultural diversity and business environment. However, I soon noticed a concerning rise in diabetes and hypertension cases within the community. Many patients were visiting hospitals due to complications arising from these chronic conditions. This growing trend highlighted a critical gap in health education and early detection. Motivated to make a difference, I applied for a YES Alumni Grant for my project, Empowering Health: Diabetes and Hypertension Awareness, to educate community members about these conditions and empower them to manage their health more effectively.

During the first day of this two-day event, we screened participants, checking their blood pressure and glucose levels. We also held a public lecture to educate the community about the causes, risk factors, prevention, and management of diabetes and hypertension. On the second day, my team demonstrated how to monitor blood pressure and glucose levels at home, empowering participants to take control of their own health.

Although we initially planned to train 50 individuals, the turnout exceeded our expectations, with 56 participants, mostly women, ages 30 to 65. Many of these individuals had limited access to health education or medical care, leading to worsening conditions and frequent hospital visits. Our project addressed this gap by providing essential knowledge and practical tools to help them manage their health independently.

One participant shared, “I am grateful to the YES alumni team for organizing this program. I didn’t realize there were so many lifestyle and non-medication options for managing my condition. Now, I feel more empowered to take better care of myself.”

A community leader also praised the project, stating, “This event has brought knowledge and hope to our community. We appreciate the efforts of YES alumni in promoting our health and well-being. We would love this project to continue and expand, and we are ready to collaborate and sponsor its sustainability.”

I’m particularly proud that I was able to implement this initiative for less than 500 USD. I received 220 USD from the YES Alumni Grant program, and another 240 USD in cost share from partners and contributors, demonstrating that it does not take a great deal of money to make a big impact. The success of this event has inspired plans to establish a foundation dedicated to ongoing education and the provision of free health information and drug guidance. This initiative will reach even more patients and improve the quality of life within the community. With support from volunteers and philanthropists, the project has the potential to sustain itself and make a lasting impact on healthcare in Sabongari.

This project not only raised awareness about diabetes and hypertension but also highlighted systemic issues in Nigeria’s healthcare policies. The enthusiastic turnout and active participation demonstrated the community’s need for better health education and coverage. I learned that the problem isn’t with individuals but rather with the lack of proper health policy implementation and coverage in our country.

I extend my deepest thanks to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for sponsoring the YES program and the YES Alumni Grants. I am also grateful to American Councils and IRIS for their continued support, and to our incredible team of volunteers for their hard work. Special thanks to the Principal of Government Secondary School Muchia for hosting the event, the Village Head for his support and presence, and the security personnel for ensuring the event was safe and orderly. Your collective efforts made this initiative a success, and I am truly thankful for your commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community.