WHD: FG WORKING ASSIDUOUSLY TO ELIMINATE HYPERTENSION– PATE [Video]

AS EXPERTS ADVOCATE FOR ROUTINE EXERCISES, LOCAL PRODUCTION OF DRUGS TO BEAT THE SCOURGE

In Nigeria, studies have shown that the prevalence of hypertension is 29.5% among men and 25.0% among women, particularly in urban areas.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, a non-communicable disease, is a significant health concern and a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, responsible for 11% of all NCD deaths, and premature mortality accounting for 22% in Nigeria, according to the WHO, NCDs report.

Studies also revealed that the current prevalence of stroke resulting in hypertension-related complications is 1.14 per 1000 while the 30-day case fatality rate is as high as 40%.

It is against this backdrop that the federal government in its effort to curb this preventable disease joined the world to commemorate World Hypertension Day on 17th May 2024, with the theme “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer,” which aims at combating low awareness, especially as burden of citizens increases due to cost of living, tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and harmful alcohol consumption among other factors.

To complement this measure, partners took free medical screening and treatment to the federal Secretariat to reduce hypertension impact on citizens as they believe public awareness creation, education, screening, early detection and diagnosis, counseling, and prompt provision of standard treatment and care are key to achieving long-term control and prevention to avert the fatal complications of heart disease, heart failure, stroke, blindness, chronic kidney failures, dementia, and others.