The Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has commenced the screening of 250,000 in 200 communities for Blood Pressure (BP) and hypertension across six area councils.
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Blood pressure is a measurement of the force exerted against the walls of arteries as heart pumps blood to the body, while hypertension is the medical term used to describe high blood pressure
The Mandate Secretary Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasewe said in Abuja on Wednesday that the screening marks the commencement of Project 10 million in the FCT.
Fasawe explained that the project was initiated by the 36 states commissioners of health and the FCT, to facilitate early diagnosis and counselling as well as management of ailments that leads to sudden death.
The project, tagged, “operation know your numbers” is designed to screen a minimum of 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes, two of the major ailments leading to sudden deaths.
She noted that non-communicable deceased were on the increase globally, adding that North Central has the highest prevalence of diabetics and hypertension in Nigeria.
She stressed the need to spread the information about the screening so that people, including those in hard-to-reach communities would benefit from the screening.
The mandate secretary said that the screening was free and would be conducted in 300 locations in the 200 communities.
Describing the screening as “painless and lifesaving”, Fasawe expressed concern that young people were getting affected by hypertension, a silent killer, more and more.
“A study in Nigeria shows that people do not know that they have high BP, and diabetes is also on the increase,” she said.
She explained that the screening was to encourage regular checkup and for people to know the risk factors.
She called on Abuja residents to take advantage of the free screening to know the status of their BP, and their family history to guard against non-communicable diseases.
“Civil servants, please take advantage of this opportunity, the staff clinic has been well equipped to carry out this responsibility.
“Encourage all other workers, your drivers, cleaners, security men to come and benefit from this dividend of democracy,” she added.
The mandate secretary said that healthcare delivery in the FCT had significantly improved under FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, as indicated by the reports from screened civil servants, which appeared very positive.
“Working under Barrister Wike’s leadership encourages an active lifestyle, which helps reduce risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases,” she stated.
Earlier, Dr Babagana Adam, the Permanent Secretary of the secretariat, assured residents that the health workers conducting the screening would be professional.
Represented by the Director-General, Hospital Management Board, Dr Olugbenga Bello, the permanent secretary, said that the health workers were ready to attend to the targeted 250,000 residents.
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