Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), has said up to 72 percent of Nigerians have hypertension.
Ifeanyi Ikebudu, chairman of the Abuja branch of PSN disclosed this on Tuesday during sensitisation outreach in Abuja to commemorate this year’s World Hypertension Day, which is marked every may 17.
He said this year’s theme: “Measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer” is very strategic, since it emphasised the need for regular and accurate checking of blood pressure, while seeking to create awareness on the dangers of neglecting certain fundamental health measures that can make a lot of difference.
Ikebudu also stated that cardiovascular accidents are the leading cause of deaths worldwide and revealed that Nigeria ranks very high in the list of countries with the highest population of hypertension cases.
“According to a 2019 statistics report, 17.9 million people died from cardiovascular accidents globally. Of this number, 85% died of heart attack and stroke. Unfortunately, 75% of deaths arising from cardiovascular accidents occur in low and middle-income countries of which Nigeria is one.
“Bringing this closer home, according to the 2021 statistics, an estimated 76.2 million Nigerians or 38 per cent of the national population were hypertensive. Meanwhile, of this number, only 23 million or 30% of this affected population are taking medications,” averred Ikebudu
The PSN chair said there is widespread apathy among sufferers and potential sufferers of hypertension towards checking their blood pressures regularly and accurately and harped on the need for all adults who are at least 40 years, to take their health seriously and avoid falling victim to hypertension which he referred to as the “silent killer.”
“It is common knowledge that there is an apathy by the vast majority of persons with elevated blood pressure in taking measures that would enable them maintain adequate control of their blood pressures, thereby preventing cardiovascular accidents and ultimately early death.”
Also at the event, the Chairperson of the Abuja branch of the Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs), Pharm. Nevan Bello, stated that her organisation had undertaken several laudable tasks in bringing awareness to women on issues pertaining to their health and wellbeing.
“As lady pharmacists, one of the major goals we have is to bring health awareness to the society, especially to vulnerable women and young girls. We have a major drive and project towards drug abuse prevention. We give health talks in schools and organize debates for young people.
“Since we are a technical arm of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, we therefore participate in everything that we as pharmacists do. We reach out to the community as mothers. We visit orphanages and schools to empower people with knowledge and carry out health outreaches,” stated Bello
