FG moves to curb non-communicable diseases, hypertension, diabetes

The Federal Government has launched a free medical outreach in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to screen residents for hypertension and diabetes.

The project being championed by the Health Promotion Division (HPD) of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is aimed at promoting early detection, prevention, and management of cardiometabolic diseases.

Speaking during the outreach at the National Mosque clinic in Abuja, Chief Health Education Officer, Evelyn Agbanyim, said that the free medical screening is designed to combat the high prevalence of Non-Communicable diseases in the country, particularly hypertension and diabetes

Agbanyim noted that the initiative will encourage Nigerians to regularly check their blood pressure and blood sugar levels, highlighting the principle that prevention is better than cure.

She said, “This outreach is part of our health promotion activities. We are also planning to establish a National Health Promotion Commemoration Day, as Nigeria has not set aside a day to celebrate health promotion since 2006.

“Nigeria has embraced health promotion. There has never been a day mapped out, to celebrate, to commemorate health promotion in Nigeria, of course, in Africa at large.”

Agbayim explained that the government has developed a Project 10 Million initiative targeted at screening 10 million Nigerians across the country, adding that the health campaign is designed to raise awareness and reduce the burden of hypertension and diabetes which had become significant health challenges in Nigeria.

Agbanyim said that the National Council on Health (NCH) has approved the 29th of December, coinciding with the National Health Promotion Conference from December 29 to 31.

The medical outreach continues on Sunday, October 27 2024 at St Mary’s Catholic Church Karu by 10:00 am and will be concluded on Monday, 28th, in front of the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.