World Hypertension Day: Medical Experts Sensitize Nigerians, Want Govt. To Step Up Awareness
As the world commemorate Hypertension day, medical practitioners want government at different levels to step up more awareness on the disease to reduce deaths occuring from it.
This could be why an health practitioner and consultant cardiologists at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital Ado Ekiti, Dr Opeyemi Ojo stressed the need for government to increase awareness on the disease which is affecting many people and unknown to them
Dr. Ojo who took time to sensitize the public on the disease noted that the health situation is usually as a result of force of blood against the wall of the arteries leading to the damage of vital organs like brain, kidney, heart and eyes.
The cardiologist said it was important for people to check their blood pressure regularly as symptoms most time include headaches and difficulties with sleeping.
He expressed worry that facilities to cater for people affected by Hypertension in primary, secondary and tertiary hospitals across the country were grossly in adequate.
A General Practitioner with a private Hospital, Dr Williams Afolabi said the disease which affects both male and female noted that obesity, smoking, alcohol intake, sedentary life style, taking small amounts of vegetables and fruits could predispose people to the disease.
Some patients at the hospital urged the government to subsidize treatment and drugs for patients of Hypertension .
They also called for recruitment of more personnel as well as upgrade of facilities across the country to ensure proper treatment of patients.
This year’s theme: “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer” has consistently been used since 2021 to emphasize the importance of accurate blood pressure measurement and control for preventing as well as managing it.
