It has been revealed that 30 per cent of residents of Lagos State suffer from hypertension. This is even as 70 per cent of the residents are unaware of their condition.
This was the revelation made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi on Friday. He made this disclosure at the launch of a week-long free health screening exercise for hypertension and diabetes patients in the State.
The programme is targeted at 800,000 residents across the State.
Addressing the press, Abayomi expressed concern over the alarming prevalence of the “silent killers of hypertension and diabetes,”. He stressed that hypertension is a leading cause of heart disease, strokes, and kidney failure among Lagos residents.
He said, “With a hypertension prevalence rate of 30 per cent, a staggering 8.67 million people in Lagos are affected by high blood pressure. Even more concerning, 70 per cent of those living with hypertension, which amounts to over 6 million individuals, are completely unaware of their condition.”
The Commissioner noted that obesity, a known contributor to both hypertension and diabetes, affects 3.48 million Lagosians. Or 12 per cent of the population. He expressed worries that the rise in sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy dietary habits contributes to the situation.
Abayomi added that diabetes has a 6 per cent prevalence rate. Translating to 1.73 million residents, with 50 per cent unaware of their status.
The campaign tagged: “Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers,” is an initiative under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s “10 Million Project ”. And it aims to address the high prevalence of silent killers of hypertension and diabetes among residents of Lagos State.
According to the statement, the campaign is set to run from 28 October to 3 November. It will provide free screenings for blood pressure and blood sugar for 800,00 residents across all Local Government Areas in the State.
Making his presentation, Abayomi highlighted the campaign’s objective to make health screening accessible to every resident in Lagos State.
He said, “This campaign represents a powerful effort in the fight against hypertension and diabetes. Which often go undiagnosed until severe complications arise. Underscoring the commitment to proactive health-seeking behaviours among residents.”
The Commissioner stated that the free screening will take place at 300 Primary Health Centres and 30 General Hospitals across the State.
“This campaign is aimed at encouraging residents to check their blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar levels.
“During the campaign week, Lagosians are invited to visit any of the State’s 300 Primary Health Centres and 30 General Hospitals to get screened. Free consultations will include tests for blood pressure, blood sugar, and BMI calculations. And enabling citizens to better understand and manage their health”, he said.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, stressed the importance of the event.
Sharing his story on the importance of regular screenings, he spoke on the impact of daily stress, especially in high-pressure professions like journalism. He, therefore, urged members of the press to prioritize their health.
He said, “The campaign is more than a health check. It’s a call to every Lagosian to take proactive steps in managing their health.”
Omotoso also identified specific risk factors contributing to hypertension and diabetes. These, he said included obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet, age, and stress.
The Commissioner, therefore, recommended a healthy lifestyle for Lagosians. These, he said, included eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, healthy weight maintenance, smoking cessation. He also mentioned stress management as ways to defeat the silent killers.
He said, “We strongly recommend that you take advantage of the opportunity to get a free health check-up at our public health facilities within the weeklong free health screening exercise next week.”
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, expressed concern. He emphasized that many individuals are unaware of free health services, leading to neglected healthcare.
Ogunyemi pointed out that many people failed to follow up on their health care during the recently concluded Alaafia Eko outreach. Where health services were provided to 24,000 Lagosians.
She said, “We are seeing that free resources alone may not be enough. We need people to take ownership of their health. Make regular check-ups a habit, and use available resources.”
source: Premium Times
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