The Managing Director of May & Baker Nig. Plc., Patrick Ajah, has urged the government to take action to control the rate of foreign exchange and increase the value of the naira, as it has affected the cost of drugs.

He stated that the prices of drugs and other goods would continue to rise unless the Federal Government does something to control the exchange rate (forex). According to him, the increase in the cost of the exchange rate is the primary cause of the high cost of drugs and other commodities in the country.

“Unless the Federal Government does something to control or reduce the exchange rate and increase the value of the naira currency, the prices of drugs and other goods will continue to rise. Almost all the raw materials the company uses for production are imported. And there is a limit to what companies can do, but we will continue to do our possible best to ensure that the prices of our products remain affordable,” he said.

Ajah spoke to journalists at the end of a Walk tagged: “Walk-for-Life,” explaining that the exercise was part of May & Baker’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare accessibility and address critical health issues in the country over the weekend.

Ahead of this year’s World Heart Day, May & Baker Nigeria Plc has taken hypertension awareness to the streets of Lagos to promote early detection and prevent heart-related diseases. The company noted the importance of regular health checkups, including blood pressure monitoring, as a preventive measure against hypertension.

The company, which also conducted free blood pressure checks as part of activities to mark its 80th anniversary, provided tips on lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating and regular exercise, to help individuals manage their blood pressure.

“Hypertension is a silent killer, and early detection is crucial in preventing serious complications,” said Ajah.

“If not detected at the early stages, the sufferer is at high risk, and that can lead to sudden death. It is more expensive to treat the ailment and cheaper to prevent it by maintaining regular medical checkups, a healthy diet, regular exercise, checking cholesterol, and avoiding too many carbohydrates and sugar.”

“We can avoid heart diseases by eating fewer carbohydrates and more vegetables and drinking more water than other drinks. By offering free blood pressure checks, we hope to encourage people to take control of their health and seek medical attention when necessary.”

He urged Nigerians to always check their blood pressure and be conscious of what they eat or drink to minimise the risk of heart-related diseases like hypertension. Ajah also noted that many staple foods and beverages could lead to heart-related diseases but can be controlled if detected early. He identified lifestyle changes, particularly diet and exercise, as major ways to prevent complications of hypertension.

Studies have shown that low salt intake can reduce hypertension. Ajah said that diet, lifestyle modifications, and addressing barriers to blood pressure control, including poor knowledge about the condition, must be part of all treatment regimens.

He said,”To control hypertension, lifestyle modification is very important. There are people who always add salt to their meals. Salt intake should be greatly reduced. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, particularly those containing potassium, as they help reduce high blood pressure. Fruits like bananas and oranges also help in controlling and preventing high blood pressure. Also, reduce alcohol and smoking; doing all these things will help in controlling not just high blood pressure but diabetes and cholesterol levels.”

Ajah, who highlighted some of the company’s achievements, pledged that they would not relent in their commitment to research, human, and capacity development. He said the company would continue to focus on harnessing cutting-edge technologies and partnerships to navigate the ever-changing landscape of healthcare.