Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Lagos expands hypertension checks, urges residents to take advantage of them

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The Lagos State Government has extended its free hypertension and diabetes screening campaign by two weeks.

The campaign dubbed: “Know Your Numbers, Check Your Numbers,” which began on October 28 and targeted 800,000 residents across the state, will now run until November 17, according to the state Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi. .

Abayomi announced the extension on Wednesday, urging Lagos residents to take advantage of the health screenings, which will continue to provide screening services at over 330 designated sites, including 30 general hospitals and 300 primary health centers across the state.

The health commissioner recently revealed that 30 percent of the state's residents suffer from hypertension and 70 percent are unaware of their condition.

Abayomi added that diabetes has a prevalence rate of 6 percent, which translates to 1.73 million residents, of which 50 percent are unaware of their status.

Reason for extension

Speaking on the reason for the extension, Mr. Abayomi emphasized the importance of medical screening in the fight against the “silent killer” diseases of hypertension and diabetes, which contribute significantly to the burden of disease in Nigeria.

“By extending this campaign, we are encouraging more residents to come forward and 'know their numbers' so they can take proactive steps to manage their blood pressure and blood sugar levels,” he said.

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He added that early detection and treatment of these conditions is vital to reduce the risk of serious complications, such as heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.

He explained that the “Know Your Numbers, Check Your Numbers” campaign is part of the national ‘10 Million Project’, an initiative of the Nigerian Governors Forum implemented through the Health Commissioners Forum, which aims to detect hypertension and hypertension in 10 million Nigerians. diabetes.

“The campaign, launched on October 28, 2024, has already screened thousands of residents across Lagos State and Nigeria. The initiative underscores the commitment of the Lagos State Government to prioritize the health of its residents and prevent chronic diseases through early diagnosis and effective health management,” Abayomi said.

Risk factors

Abayomi further highlighted that hypertension and diabetes are the leading causes of disability and death globally and emphasized the Ministry of Health's commitment to creating a healthier Lagos through proactive initiatives.

“We are working tirelessly to prevent avoidable hospitalizations and save lives. Knowing your blood pressure and blood sugar levels is the first step to controlling these silent killers,” he explained.

In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, also urged residents to take advantage of the extension and visit the designated screening centres, noting that the campaign provides a vital opportunity for residents to assess their health status at no cost.

“Hypertension and diabetes may not show early symptoms, so routine checkups are essential for everyone, especially people aged 40 or older or with a family history of these conditions,” he noted.

READ ALSO: Lagos' oldest hospital reflects poor state of healthcare sector in Nigeria's richest state

He further advised residents to adopt healthier lifestyles by incorporating regular exercise, balanced diets and stress management into their daily routines.

“Taking charge of your health is a commitment to a better future,” added Mrs Ogunyemi, highlighting that controlling blood pressure and blood sugar can prevent long-term complications.

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