Anambra State Government has commemorated the 2024 World Hypertension Day in Awka.
Addressing the press, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said that the day provided another opportunity to raise awareness about hypertension, which he said is one of the deadliest non-communicable diseases, and to reaffirm the state government’s commitment to eradicating the health threat.
Dr. Obidike maintained that hypertension is the main cause of cardiovascular disease and about one billion people are living with it globally, adding that Governor Chukwuma Soludo identified it as health threat, and that the ministry is carrying out aggressive campaign against it.
He further explained that the current administration has introduced the “Solution Know Your Number” to checkmate hypertension, and that the government has mapped out a proactive approach for adequate sensitization of Ndi Anambra; to enable them have access to medications they need for effective management and treatment of BP.
The Health Commissioner, who commended the World Health Organisation, WHO, and other partners for their support, pointed out that the ministry has introduced free hypertension treatment in all the government-owned medical facilities across the state throughout the celebration, and revealed that untreated hypertension can lead to kidney disease and stroke.
Contributing, the Anambra State WHO Coordinator, Dr. Bonos Mohammed, said that the organization targets to screen about three thousand people free of cost during the exercise, and assured that WHO will continue to partner the state.
The State Non-Communicable Disease Coordinator, Mrs. Adaku Ego, made it clear that they have mapped out many events to commemorate the day, including radio programmes, road sensitization show, among others.
The theme of the celebration is “measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer”.
The Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Pharmacist Chisom Uchem, the Head, Planning, Research and Statistics in the ministry, Mrs. Edith Nwachukwu, among others were present during the event.
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