Nasarawa calls for regular hypertension screening
Nasarawa State Government has called for regular screening to address the increasing cases of hypertension recorded across the 13 local government areas of the state.
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The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, made the call on Friday in Lafia during a press briefing to mark World Hypertension Day, 2024 tagged ‘Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer’.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr John Damina, the commissioner said the state government had decided to embark on mass awareness campaigns and screenings to support residents suffering from the disease.
He stated, “We are worried about the increasing cases of hypertension, also known as High Blood Pressure. We are worried because we know that it is dangerous, and it is something that does not give symptoms, particularly when it is still at the primary stage.
“As we observe World Hypertension Day today, let us recommit ourselves to promoting cardiovascular health, raising awareness about hypertension, and encouraging individuals to take proactive steps in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.”
Hypertension has been identified as one of the major sicknesses affecting Nigerians as no fewer than one out of three persons, especially adults currently suffer from health conditions in the country.
The President, the Nigerian Society of Hypertension, Professor Simeon Isezuo, stated this on Thursday in Sokoto during a press briefing at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto as part of activities to celebrate the 2024 World Hypertension Day.
He said the exercise aims to raise awareness and promote the early detection and treatment of hypertension.
Gwamna added, “This is particularly significant in Nigeria where one of every three adults has hypertension. It has no symptoms until serious damage has been done to the body.
“Many people with this condition are unaware of having it and only a few of those who are aware are on treatment while many of them don’t take their medicines regularly.
While identifying hypertension as the leading cause of stroke, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and heart attack resulting in death or disability of people, the commissioner said the sickness is, however, preventable and treatable.
