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The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, has revealed that the state is targeting no fewer than 200,000 residents for free hypertension and diabetes tests.
He expressed readiness to tackle the exponential increase in the number of hypertension and diabetes patients in the state, stating that this is why the state has keyed into the federal government’s project 10 million campaign initiative to reduce these health issues.
Oyebanji lamented that over 70% of mortality among people aged 30 to 70 is caused by hypertension and diabetes, making these conditions the most notorious killers of the Nigerian productive population.
The governor spoke on Monday while flagging off the federal government’s powered project 10 million campaign against hypertension and diabetes through the initiative of the Forum of Commissioners for Health in Nigeria, tagged “Know Your Number, Control Your Number,” in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, stated that project 10 million is a national initiative by the Forum of Health Commissioners in the country to tackle the increasing prevalence of hypertension and diabetes.
He noted that it is highly depressing and disturbing that there is an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the country due to various factors, including changes in lifestyle, stating that 27% of deaths in the country are caused by non-communicable diseases.
According to him, “There is a 70% chance of dying from hypertension and diabetes between the ages of 30 and 70 years in Nigeria. Despite these alarming statistics, many people are not aware of their status regarding these health conditions, making them a silent threat to their health and wellbeing.”
“We hope to conduct free screenings for about 200,000 people in Ekiti State for hypertension and diabetes during the week-long campaign at 161 screening centers across the state from Monday, October 28, to Sunday, November 3, 2024, focusing on adults from age 18.”
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The governor stated that counseling will be organized for all participants on non-communicable diseases, and newly diagnosed individuals will be linked to the nearest hospital for care. There will also be an opportunity for a short-term refill for known hypertension patients during the exercise.
Oyebanji appealed to traditional leaders, religious organizations, market women, local government leaders, health workers, and civil society organizations to support this intervention and ensure its success in their respective jurisdictions.
Speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, said the rationale behind the free screening is to check the frightening and spiraling levels of hypertension and diabetes across the country, including Ekiti.
Filani revealed that statistics confirm that about 27% of the morbidity rate in the country is due to the scourges of hypertension and diabetes, which makes it imperative for citizens to participate in the free health program.
“Our mission in Ekiti State is to spread this campaign to as many people as possible, to identify the number of victims, and to be able to control it. With the Primary Healthcare program, we plan to ensure that children under five years old have access to immunization and that pregnant women receive pregnancy kits and strong antenatal care to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates,” he said.
The Commissioner stated that the program will be extended to the palaces of traditional rulers, schools, marketplaces, and faith-based institutions, where citizens can access services without inhibition.
