Kick-off of the 7th edition of MaBEST: awareness-raising and screening for women at the Hanoukopé market

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Extract from the article: The 7th edition of the Togo Market for Well-being, Food, and Health (MaBEST) organized a day of health services for women vendors at Hanoukopé Market on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in Lomé. This initiative, led by the organization Santé Éducation,...

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The seventh edition of the Food, Well-being, and Health Market in Togo (MaBEST) kicked off on Tuesday, November 18, at the Hanoukopé market in Lomé. MaBEST 2025, with the theme “Prevention is cure: invest in health,” reminds us that prevention remains the best strategy for combating the rise of non-communicable diseases in Togo.

This edition launched a vast screening and awareness campaign for women in Hanoukopé, commonly known as the “fruit market.” There, teams set up a comprehensive range of services. These included nutrition awareness, screening for high blood pressure and diabetes, specific nutritional assessments, and support from dietary supplement professionals. 

“We found that there are certain targets that are not reached by our media. Among them are women in the markets who are always in their place. They do not have access to traditional media. Yet they are vulnerable women in terms of health and are exposed to several diseases,” explained Gadiel Tsonyadzi, MaBEST Coordinator. 

The urgency of dietary change

During this awareness campaign, health professionals discussed at length public health issues such as overweight, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. They advised these women to promote healthy lifestyle habits, including a healthy diet and physical activity rather than a sedentary lifestyle.

"We came to talk to them about how to eat in relation to carbohydrates, how to eat in relation to fats, how to do the same in relation to proteins, how to move around behind their stalls, etc. We advised them to use African mustard, small fish, onions, and garlic instead of bouillon cubes, which are synthetic and pose a health risk to the population," said Dr. Kponou Tobossi, a clinical nutritionist.

"They should avoid drinks with added sugar and sweets, which over time can cause metabolic health problems for these women. We also advised them to choose white meat and fish over red meat, which also has harmful effects on health when consumed in excess. You should eat a lot more vegetable sauces, which are also therapeutic," he added.

According to Soukpem Akowa, president of the Hanoukopé market, “the vendors have realized that health comes first. The goal now is to share the message with other traders. Women must be the primary actors in their own health. They must understand that investing in their health is essential to going to the market and making a profit.”

Stands selling dietary supplements and sanitary products were set up in the market to bring these products closer to the population for a day.

The MaBEST program is continuing in schools in order to reach young people, who are also considered a high-risk group. On November 21, we will be heading to Djidjolémonou, at the Donou space, for a conference of food supplement producers and promoters, followed by a two-day exhibition of health and nutritional products.

Esther KOLANI