Oyo State to Screen over 300,000 Residents for Hypertension, Diabetes

By Olubunmi Osoteku

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The Oyo State Government says it is set to screen 347, 304 individuals for hypertension and diabetes as ‘Project 10 Million Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers’ commences in Ibadan, the capital city.

 

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The Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, stated this at the unveiling of the Project 10 Million with the members of the State Executive Council at the Office of the Governor.

Ajetumobi explained that the Project 10 Million is a nationwide initiative, aimed at screening 10 million Nigerians across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT for hypertension and diabetes within a 7-day period in October, 2024.

The commissioner noted that the objective of the project is to screen 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes, promoting early detection, prevention, and control of cardiometabolic diseases, using the slogan – “Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers”.

She said: “knowing your vital health metrics empowers you to take timely actions and make the right decision concerning your health, while controlling them prevents complications that may arise from ignorance or neglect.”

Ajetumobi disclosed that the screening will include blood pressure and blood sugar tests to detect hypertension and diabetes, alongside other anthropometric measurements that pertain to the health of the heart, blood vessels and general body metabolism processes, stressing that the screening process is safe and uses standard, point-of-care testing.

She said: “The Nigerian Health Commissioner’s Forum is initiating the project and executing it in partnership with professional bodies, developmental agencies, and donors. Project 10 Million will utilise a team of trained healthcare workers who will visit various communities within each state.”

The commissioner stated that the team will set up temporary screening stations at designated locations, making the screening accessible to communities, noting that everyone aged 18 and above is eligible for the screening and there is no payment for registration or other services accessed during the screening as the exercise is absolutely free.

Dr. Ajetumobi said participants will receive their test results and counseling on the spot, adding that people who have abnormal results will receive some first contact care or be referred to nearby government-owned health facilities for further evaluation, treatment and follow-up care.

 

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