Ondo Govt. offers free blood pressure, diabetes’ screening for traders

The Ondo State Ministry of Health on Wednesday offered free blood pressure and diabetes’ screening to traders at the NEPA Neighbourhood Market, Akure.

Mr Awolowo Ajaka, the state Commissioner for Health, said the aim was to draw the people’s awareness to the ailment because over 1.1 billion people lived with hypertension globally.

Ajaka said that as part of the Redeemed Agenda of the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, it was important to prevent, diagnose and treat the killer diseases.

He added that the prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria was over 30 per cent.

According to him, one in four men and one in five women have high blood pressure, hence the need to fight the killer diseases in the society.

The commissioner explained that hypertension was a serious medical condition that could predispose the victim to heart, brain, kidney and other diseases.

He noted that hypertension was a major cause of premature death worldwide, adding that the burden was felt more among middle and low income earners.

“We need to protect our fathers, mothers and market women from the danger of high blood pressure.

“Nowadays, we are seeing a rise in behavioural risk factors such as physical inactivity, diets high in salt, fat and sugar, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol.

“These add to the burden of hypertension in our society and there is need to pay attention to them.

“It is imperative for us in Ondo State to adopt the national strategic plan to reduce the burden of hypertension in our communities,” he stated.

Ajaka recalled that 5,000 women were recently screened for cancer of the cervix free of charge.

Mrs Folukemi Aladenola, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry explained that hypertension and diabetes were closely related non-communicable diseases which could render their victims incapacitated.

Aladenola said the two diseases could also send their victims to their early graves.

The permanent secretary appealed to market women and people in the community to participate in the free screening exercise.

Aladenola said that early detection of the diseases would help in advising on how to deal with them on time.

She said that the state governor was very passionate about the health of people of the state.

She appreciated the governor and the commissioner for magnanimously approving fund for the laudable activity.

Chief Kemi Aisida, the Iyaloja General of Ondo State, lauded the state governor for the programme.

Aisida said that the programme was commendable because most market women due their busy schedule would not go to hospital to know their health status.