In Pictures

Training market vendors in NCD prevention

Inside Freetown, Sierra Leone's markets, a new healthy food strategy is addressing rising rates of hypertension and other noncommunicable diseases.

Through the Partnership-supported “Salt Breaks Hearts” project in Freetown, Sierra Leone—where stroke rates are on the rise—nurses and nutritionists train market vendors on the dangers of excess salt and monitor their blood pressure. The vendors in turn share tips with their shoppers, including how to cook traditional dishes without using salt-filled seasoning packets.

From the streets of Freetown, we capture some of the women at the forefront of the project.

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The project enlists vendors at six Freetown markets.
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Fresh fruit and vegetables are sold alongside prepared foods that the vendors are encouraged to adapt with lower-salt recipes.
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As part of “Salt Breaks Hearts,” the vendors are screened for hypertension. Also known as high blood pressure, hypertension affects almost 1.3 billion people worldwide.
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Why target the market merchants? Because they interact so closely with shoppers—and because they are usually the primary income earners in their own families and responsible for family nutrition.
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After learning about the project on TV and radio, other markets have asked to join.
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It’s a very sedentary lifestyle. Vendors spend 12-14 hours a day at work. This program provides rare access to health screenings.
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Next up, the city will work with the Partnership’s Policy Accelerator to develop a procurement policy that will prevent hospitals, schools and other public institutions from purchasing or using high-sodium bouillon cubes in meal preparation.

Training market vendors in NCD prevention

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