A UK-based senior mental health nurse, Iruoma Obiesie Onuko, has urged Nigerians to undergo regular blood pressure and blood sugar checks to facilitate early detection and prevent life-threatening complications.

Onuko, who made the call at a media engagement on community health in Abuja, said many people remained unaware of potentially dangerous health conditions because they often waited until symptoms appeared before seeking medical attention.

She warned that high blood pressure could go undetected for years, even when an individual appeared healthy, stressing that routine screening, prompt clinical assessment and appropriate follow-up care were essential to reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other complications.

According to her, findings from community screening outreaches organised by the Healthy Nigeria Movement, a foundation-led initiative, revealed concerning blood pressure and blood glucose readings among participants, underscoring the need to expand access to preventive healthcare.

She cited the World Health Organisation’s estimate that cardiovascular diseases accounted for about 19.8 million deaths globally in 2022, noting that delayed medical intervention could leave patients vulnerable to strokes, heart attacks, acute heart failure and chronic kidney disease complications.

“Routine screening can provide an opportunity to identify health concerns earlier and encourage people to seek appropriate medical attention before complications develop,” she said.

Presenting the foundation’s preliminary screening figures, Onuko disclosed that 48.74 per cent of participants fell within its high blood pressure category, while 5.74 per cent recorded low blood pressure readings.

She added that 18.33 per cent of those screened had elevated blood glucose readings, while 9.12 per cent recorded low blood glucose levels.

The figures, she said, highlighted the importance of sustained public sensitisation on preventive healthcare and regular medical checks.

However, Onuko cautioned that the results were preliminary community screening findings that required validation against the underlying records.

She explained that the screening results did not, in themselves, establish a medical diagnosis, adding that participants with abnormal readings needed further clinical assessment to determine their health status and appropriate treatment.

According to her, the foundation supports participants with severely elevated blood pressure in accessing urgent hospital assessment and, where resources permit, provides assistance with medical expenses and follow-up care.

She noted that identifying a potentially serious health condition was only the first step, as some individuals also needed help understanding their results, accessing healthcare facilities and overcoming financial barriers to treatment.

Onuko said the Healthy Nigeria Movement had conducted community screening outreaches across 20 states, taking blood pressure and blood glucose checks, health education and referral support to marketplaces, streets, schools, churches and other community gathering places.

She added that the foundation’s wider network had a presence in all 36 states of the federation, offering opportunities to expand community-based health interventions and strengthen links with established healthcare services.

To improve the effectiveness of the initiative, she called on federal and state health authorities, primary healthcare organisations and relevant clinical institutions to establish formal partnerships with the foundation.

She said the proposed collaboration would focus on standardised screening procedures, training of outreach teams, provision of equipment, clinical supervision, referral arrangements, follow-up care and joint evaluation.

Onuko disclosed that a 12-month programme had been proposed to strengthen existing outreach activities, with implementation to be reviewed periodically and expansion guided by the preparedness of participating teams and receiving healthcare facilities.

She also urged universities, professional organisations, international health bodies and diaspora health professionals to support the initiative through technical assistance, training and evaluation.

The nurse called on the media to intensify public awareness campaigns on routine health checks and encourage Nigerians to embrace preventive healthcare rather than wait for symptoms to develop.

She reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to connecting communities with healthcare services through organised outreach programmes, referral support and practical assistance for people requiring further medical attention.