The University of Alberta Black Medical Students Association (BMSA) is hosting a free health fair specifically for Edmonton’s Black community. Second-year medical student Lekan Ajibulu joined CTV Morning Live’s Kent Morrison to emphasize the importance of prevention in medicine.
This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
Kent Morrison: First of all, let’s talk about health education. Why is this so important within the Black community?
Lekan Ajibulu: We know from data and the research, it shows that Black individuals have worse health outcomes. It really shows that there needs to be more health education within the community, and it’s not for a lack of trying. I think a lot of times, Black individuals, I wouldn’t say are scared, but are just not privy to the health resources that we have. That’s why it’s important to really bring health education to the forefront.
Kent: What is the BMSA (Black Medical Students Association) doing to close the gaps?
Lekan: One of the biggest things is the health fair that we have. The health fair is an event that brings the Black Medical Students Association together, and other organizations, to showcase the resources that we have. We also talk about preventative health, diabetes, hypertension and showcase other physicians as well. It lets us bring the health resources to them so that they see what we have here in Edmonton.
Kent: For people who want to go this weekend, what’s it going to be like?
Lekan: It’s a fair, and this year we’re collaborating with the Black Pharmacy Students Association and the Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada. So there’s actually going to be a bouncy castle, popcorn and candy for the kids. There’s also preventative health booths. We have dentistry, pharmacists, dermatological stations for skin and minor ailments. We have a whole bunch of things that are prevalent to Black communities. We have booths and information panels about those.
Kent: You’re in your second year at the University of Alberta, pursuing a medical degree. What made you join this association to help out?
Lekan: For me, it’s the ability to help an individual. The biggest thing is prevention, and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to pursue medicine. It was to prevent these ailments in the first place, so they wouldn’t have to end up in ICU or they wouldn’t have to end up with type 2 diabetes. That’s what led me to be part of the BMSA. To serve my community, so that we can prevent these worst health outcomes in the future.
