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Led by a local cardiologist, Dr. Miryan Cassandra, the first phase of the rheumatic heart disease (RHD) screening and community awareness project was implemented successfully at the end of January 2026 at in São Tomé and Príncipe.
The project included early detection screening using echocardiography at Pantufo Primary School. Screened positive children and their families were counselled and referred for confirmatory assessment.
Reach’s community awareness flipchart played an important role in the project , serving as a practical tool to guide discussions and deliver clear messaging on RHD prevention. The flipchart helped facilitate interactive conversations and strengthen understanding of how early treatment of Strep A infections can prevent long-term heart damage. Using the Reach flipchart, the project aimed to raise awareness among students, teachers, parents, and guardians about the symptoms and treatment of Strep A pharyngitis and rheumatic fever — key contributors to rheumatic heart disease.
Over five days, a multidisciplinary team — comprising three cardiologists, one general practitioner, and three cardiopneumology technicians — screened 1,200 children aged 6–15 years. In addition to those screened, 26 teachers and 15 parents/guardians participated in the educational sessions.
Dr. Cassandra plans to continue the screening program to estimate the prevalence of RHD among schoolchildren in São Tomé and Príncipe, funded by WHO AFRO. Reach is proud to partner in this important work, supporting community awareness efforts alongside case-finding.
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