The campaign dubbed, The Flame of Friendship and Power Sharing, comes at the heels of activities to commemorate the company's 60 years of existence.

Les Brasseries du Cameroun is using the campaign to assume its corporate responsibility to better the lives of citizens and to appreciate its consumers for their loyalty since its inception in 1948.

The campaign, which involves a 60-day nationwide tour, started on February 2, in Maroua. The Secretary of State in charge of Health, Alim Hayatou, launched the campaign, which ends on April 5 in Douala.

As part of the campaign, the company sensitises local populations on diabetes and hypertension; carries out free screening and distributes free drugs to patients. On why the company focuses its attention on the illnesses, Les Brasseries du Cameroun's Chief Communication Officer, Mrs. Helene Kenmegne, said the two illnesses constitute a major public health problem in the country and their late diagnosis can lead to severe complications.

Free Diabetes screening

According to Mrs. Kenmegne, the company concerted with the Minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda, who gave the green light for the campaign. She explained that Les Brasseries du Cameroun also intends to spread its 60th anniversary activities to education and environmental issues.

Technical Team

The technical team of the campaign caravan comprised a paramedic, Paul Kebefa, from the Department of Disease Control in the Ministry of Public Health and medical doctors hired by Les Brasseries du Cameroun.

During the campaign, booklets and brochures on diabetes and hypertension were handed to those screened. They also supplied medical equipment and medicines offered by Sanofi Aventis, a French pharmacy with a branch in Douala and registers to medical practitioners in various hospitals.

Expectations

The campaign team is expected to screen some 20,000 people, administer treatment to about 4000 patients and sensitise thousands of people on the dangers of diabetes and hypertension.

Population waiting to be screened

In the Southwest Province, the campaign started on March 13 in Mamfe and ended on March 22 in Tiko. The team visited some 60 localities in Manyu, Meme and Fako Divisions. So far, about 9847 people have been screened in 42 days, with the Southwest having a total of 1576 people. From the Southwest, the tour is bound for Nkongsamba and other provinces.

Doctors Counsel

In sensitising the people, Kebefa said there are two types of diabetes; Type I and Type II. Type I, he said, is that which a child is born with and affects the pancreas that cannot secrete insulin. He said such a case is aided by frequently introducing artificial insulin into the child's system. For Type II, he said it affects mostly adults because it is a function of their eating habits and lifestyle.

One of the doctors in the team, Andrew Tassang, told patients to eat fruits and vegetables daily. He advised them against eating very sweet or salty foods and to exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes. He advised patients to consult with their physicians regularly and avoid buying roadside drugs.

For his part, Dr. Romain Fongang, head of Les Brasseries Medical Centre, revealed that many people are ignorant about diabetes and hypertension. He said thanks to the campaign, many people in the country can now know their status.

"Diabetes and hypertension are the endemic illnesses that affect almost everybody, that is why Brasseries is giving privilege to the health of everybody, by carrying this exercise free of charge," Dr. Fongang said.

Welcome Gesture

Most of the people screened in the various towns expressed satisfaction with the free screening. Moses Suh, a mechanic in Limbe, thanked Les Brasseries du Cameroun for the exercise. He said he has been proven diabetic and hypertensive, which initially he did not know.

"I have received free drugs and have been sensitised on my eating and drinking habits. I will have to report back to the doctor after 10 days for a follow-up of my treatment," Suh said.

To Chief Thomas Forcho of Lebialem Division, now resident in Tiko, the campaign is a welcome initiative.

Beneficiary of Diabetes drugs

He said he was surprised by the fact that such a campaign was done by a brewery company and that they advised people to exercise moderation in their drinking habit and to exercise in order to reduce the alcohol in their system.

"That is enough to prove that Les Brasseries is not only interested in their sales but also in the health and well being of the people. We thank them and pray that they continue with such gestures so that other companies can emulate," Forcho said.

Leading Brewery Company

Created on February 9, 1948, Les Brasseries du Cameroun has become one of the leading brewery companies in Cameroon. The company has grown in leaps and bounds, counting a total of five factories for the production of beer and soft drinks. It also counts five agencies and 28 distribution centres spread across the national triangle.

Les Brasseries du Cameroun has four enterprises affiliated to it like Societe des Eaux Minerales du Cameroun, SEMC, which produces mineral water (Source Tangui).

The company, together with its affiliates, has a work force of over 2000, ranging amongst one of the highest employers in the country's private sector.

The company's General Manager, Andre Siaka, once said Les Brasseries du Cameroun occupies over 70 percent of beer and 85 percent of the soft drinks market in Cameroon.