Victoria Richards-Ohwotu

This Diaspora Fellowship project, led by Ms. Victoria Richards Ohwotu, focused on a comprehensive health mission to The Gambia, centred on medical screening, health education, and capacity building. Core activities included community health fairs that screened more than 200 individuals for hypertension and diabetes and provided vital health education on disease prevention and management. A key achievement was a four-hour autism awareness workshop that reached more than 120 participants, helping to reduce stigma and misinformation.

The mission’s impact was substantial and multifaceted. Screening data revealed a critical health need, with 57% of hospital staff exhibiting hypertension and 71% of those screened for blood glucose showing signs of diabetes or pre-diabetes. Beyond direct service, the project established critical infrastructure for continued care, including patient recall systems and telemedicine pathways. It also mobilised significant resources, including the donation of a 40-foot container of medical equipment and thousands of bags of rice for community distribution.

A major strength of the project was its emphasis on collaboration and sustainability. It successfully brought together an 18-member team of international and local clinicians, educators, and students, fostering knowledge exchange and practical mentorship. Partnerships with key Gambian institutions, such as EFSTH, the University of The Gambia, and the Ministry of Health, were strengthened, creating a solid foundation for future annual missions and a shift from periodic

• Screened more than 200+ community members for hypertension, diabetes and other priority health risks.
• Conducted staff screening for 65 participants; 57% recorded hypertension, highlighting a significant need for follow-up care.
• Completed blood glucose screening for 44 participants; 23% were identified with diabetes and 48% with pre-diabetes.
• Delivered a four-hour autism workshop reaching more than 120 participants, including parents, healthcare workers and community members.
• Improved public knowledge on hypertension, diabetes, nutrition, exercise, medication adherence and disease prevention.
• Provided practical mentoring for medical students through patient education, vital-sign assessment and supervised community engagement.
• Strengthened collaboration between visiting clinicians, local health professionals, medical students and partner institutions.
• Established pathways for continued follow-up through patient recall, telemedicine and health information systems.
• Increased awareness of autism and helped reduce misinformation and stigma surrounding the condition.