The Anambra State government has marked the 2024 World Hypertension Day with a series of events in Awka aimed at raising awareness about hypertension, one of the deadliest non-communicable diseases.
Addressing the press, Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, emphasized the importance of this day in educating the public about hypertension and reaffirming the government’s commitment to combating this health threat. Dr. Obidike highlighted that hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, affecting approximately one billion people globally.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo has identified hypertension as a significant health concern, prompting the ministry to launch aggressive campaigns against it. Dr. Obidike introduced the “Solution Know Your Number” initiative, designed to monitor hypertension levels and implement proactive measures for educating Ndi Anambra on managing and treating high blood pressure effectively.
The Health Commissioner commended the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners for their support. He announced the introduction of free hypertension treatment across all government-owned medical facilities in the state, stressing that untreated hypertension can lead to severe health issues like kidney disease and stroke.
Dr. Bonos Mohammed, the WHO Coordinator for Anambra State, revealed a target to screen approximately 3,000 people free of charge during the exercise, ensuring continued collaboration with the state.
State HBP Coordinator, Mrs. Adaku Ego, outlined various events planned to commemorate the day, including radio programs and road sensitization shows. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer.”
The event was attended by key health officials, including Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, Permanent Secretary of the Anambra State Ministry of Health; Pharmacist Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency; and Mrs. Edith Nwachukwu, Head of Planning, Research, and Statistics in the ministry.
