ANAMBRA STATE GOVT BEGINS FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK IN PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES

REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE

The Anambra State Government has extended free hypertension check to all the primary and secondary healthcare centers across the state .

This is to ensure that more residents take the advantage to undergo medical checks of their blood pressure without paying any money

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, stated this in Awka, during a press briefing to commence the 2024 World Hypertension Day, which is celebrated on the 17th of May every year.

The prevalence of Hypertension in Nigeria is 28%, which corresponds with the recent data from the “Solution Know Your Number Campaign Project” in Anambra State, which shows that of 2,362 persons screened for Hypertension, 651 (28%) were diagnosed with the medical condition, of which 254 (39%) were newly diagnosed cases for hypertension while 396 (61%) were previously known cases.

These numbers, unfortunately, continue to rise, necessitating a proactive approach by the Governor Soludo led administration to ensure that adequate sensitization is carried out and residents have access to the medications they need for effective management and treatment.

Dr. Obidike noted that so far, the government had distributed 360 kits to all the primary health centers and General Hospitals across the state to encourage more people to test their blood pressure regularly.

According to the Health Commissioner, there were also room for counseling and guide on pharmaco drugs that hypertensive persons could take to control and treat it.

The Coordinator, World Health Organization in Anambra State, Dr. Bonos Mohammed, said the organization “targets to screen about 3,000 people free” during the period.

He noted that the global agency would continue to partner the state in ensuring that more people had access to quality healthcare services.

The Programme Officer , Non-Communicable Disease in Anambra State, Mrs. Adaku Egoh, explained that apart from sensitizing the public through Radio jingles and participatory programmes, trained health workers had been positioned at various locations, including the State Secretariat in Awka to encourage more people to check their blood pressure free of charge.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU