By: Gloria Abutu
World Hypertension Day: Adamawa Residents Urged to Prioritize Health and Wellbeing Amid High Temperatures
As the global community observes World Hypertension Day, the people of Adamawa state have been urged to prioritize their health and well-being to enhance longevity.
Adamawa state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Chief Felix Tangwami made the call in Yola during a Press briefing to mark the day.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Pharmacist Zira Mathias Bubanani, Chief Tangwami noted that hypertension is a major health issue, accounting for over 90 percent of cardiovascular diseases.
He further said that hypertension causes 7.5 million deaths globally each year and contributes to 38 percent of non-communicable diseases in the country.
He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to combat the disease.
Chief Tangwami stressed the importance of regular blood pressure checks, which are available for free at all public health facilities in Adamawa State.
He expressed gratitude to the state governor, Alhaji Ahmad Umaru Fintiri and partners for their ongoing efforts to provide quality healthcare services in the state.
He also noted the necessity of regular monitoring and lifestyle modifications to manage hypertension effectively, especially considering the high temperatures and excessive heat being experienced in the state.
Recommendations include staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activities, eating healthily, and taking prescribed medications to avoid risk of complications.
The World Hypertension Day commemoration included a road walk from Ribadu Mahmud Square to Gwadabawa to raise awareness about the disease.
At the Primary Health Care Centre, Gwadabawa Clinic, Zira Mathias Bubanani inaugurated free blood pressure screenings and urged residents to monitor their blood pressure regularly and seek medical advice to prevent sudden deaths.
Assistant Director, Planning, Adamawa state Primary Health Care Development Agency, David Timothy advocated government’s continued support and stressed the importance of regular hypertension screening for people to ascertain their status.
Beneficiaries of the free screening expressed appreciation for the initiative.
The screening exercise was also conducted at the Adamawa State Ministry of Health, Specialist Hospital Yola, Primary Health Care Centre Nasarawo, and the Primary Health Care Development Agency in Yola.
This year’s World Hypertension Day theme is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control it, Live Longer.”
