The Lagos State government has revealed that there are about 8.67 million residents of the state living with hypertension.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, stated this on Friday at a press briefing to announce a state-wide public health campaign on hypertension and diabetes with the theme ‘Know Your Numbers and Control Your Numbers’.
The commissioner added that there are also 3.48 million residents living with obesity, while another 1.73 million live with diabetes.
He disclosed that the state government would be providing free check-ups and tests for hypertension and diabetes from October 28 to November 3, 2024.
According to him, within this one week, the state government hopes to test and screen 800,000 residents for free.
He said, “We may even get more than 800,000 people who would have been tested at the end of the week.”
He said that the free check-ups and tests would be available in all state government-owned hospitals, the over 300 Primary Healthcare Centres, and general hospitals.
Abayomi further said that it is important to do regular check-ups because the symptoms of hypertension and diabetes show up when it is serious or late, with dire consequences for the patient.
The commissioner stated that it is important for every resident to do regular check-ups and tests because hypertension and diabetes do not only kill; they damage a person through stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure.
