By Olivia Ambrose, JKNewsMedia Intern
BLOOD PRESSURE and diabetes screening campaign has been extended for one week by the Lagos State government, following a significant public response.
Initially scheduled to end on November 17, 2024, the initiative was extended until November 24 after a surge in participation.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, cited the overwhelming turnout as the primary reason for the extension, allowing more Lagosians to benefit from this critical health service.
The free screenings, which have been conducted across 330 designated centres, including 30 General Hospitals and 300 Primary Health Centres, aim to raise awareness about hypertension and diabetes, two silent killers that disproportionately affect both the young and elderly in the state.
The Lagos health authorities emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and management of these conditions, as hypertension is linked to heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.
This initiative, inspired by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, targets early intervention in response to alarming statistics: over 8 million people in Lagos are living with hypertension, and approximately 1.73 million are affected by diabetes.
However, about 70% of residents are unaware of their condition. These staggering figures underscore the need for continued public health campaigns to address chronic diseases.
The screening exercise, launched on October 28, 2024, was part of the state’s ongoing effort to combat these health challenges.
The campaign received mixed responses at first, with many Nigerians reluctant to take advantage of the free services.
However, officials, including the Special Adviser on Health to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mrs. Oluwakemi Ogunyemi, continued to urge residents to get screened.
Their persistence paid off, as more people turned up for screening in the extended period.
One participant, 22-year-old Cynthia Nwabani, praised the initiative, noting that many people avoid health checks due to the cost.
“I would encourage my neighbors to take part,” she said, reflecting the increased awareness among young people.
Similarly, 68-year-old retiree Teresa Balogun, who was referred for further medical care after her blood pressure and sugar readings were high, expressed gratitude for the screening but called for the provision of medication to complement the screenings.
The screening campaign’s success is a testament to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to improving public health.
The state’s health management services, now organized into six districts, aim to respond more effectively to local health needs.
In addition to the screenings, Lagos announced that it is modernizing its health facilities, including refurbishing existing Primary Health Centres and building new ones, despite challenges posed by limited resources.
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