Angela Onwuzoo
The Lagos State Government has decried the increasing cases of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in the country, revealing that no fewer than 8.67 million residents of the state are living with hypertension.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed this on Friday during the launch of a state-wide free screening on hypertension and diabetes.
Abayomi further stated that about 3.48 million residents were living with obesity while another 1.73 million lived with diabetes.
The free screening exercise with the theme, ‘Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers’ will run from October 28 to November 3, 2024, across all local government areas in the state.
The campaign, an initiative under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum project, tagged, “Project 10 Million – Know Your Number, Control Your Number” seeks to combat the rising cases of cardiovascular diseases in the country, particularly hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
According to the commissioner, the state government will provide free screening to 800,000 residents within the period.
“We may even get more than 800,000 people who would have been tested at the end of the week,” he said.
The commissioner of the project aimed at promoting early detection, prevention, and control of cardiometabolic diseases
He maintained that it was important to do regular checkups, warning that the symptoms of hypertension and diabetes showed up when they became serious with dire consequences for the patient.
Abayomi cautioned that hypertension and diabetes not only killed but also caused damage to persons’ organs through stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure, among others.
“Knowing your vital health metrics empowers you to take timely actions and make the right decision concerning your health. Controlling them prevents complications that may arise from ignorance or neglect”, the commissioner added.
He urged the residents to key into the programmme and get tested to know their numbers and embrace healthy lifestyles such as reduced sugar, salt, and alcohol consumption, while warning against smoking.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, in her remarks, said the state government had done a lot in terms of free medical outreach to help people cope with their health challenges.
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