…Campaign Targets 800,000 Lagosians in State-Wide Effort to Promote Early Detection and Health Awareness
By Bunmi Yekini
The Lagos State Government has launched a free, week-long screening program focused on detecting hypertension and diabetes among residents. As part of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s “10 Million Project,” this initiative aims to reach 800,000 Lagosians under the campaign theme “Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers.” Running from October 28 to November 3, 2024, the program offers free blood pressure and blood sugar checks across all local government areas, empowering residents with critical early detection and health insights.
“This campaign represents a powerful effort in the fight against hypertension and diabetes, which often go undiagnosed until severe complications arise,” stated Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, during a media briefing at Alausa-Ikeja. Stressing the importance of health awareness, he urged residents to seize this opportunity. “While diabetes, obesity, and hypertension may appear benign initially, they silently wreak havoc on the body, sometimes with deadly consequences,” he explained, highlighting how these conditions frequently progress without noticeable symptoms.
Statistics presented at the briefing underscored the urgency of the campaign. With 30% of Lagosians, over 8.67 million residents, suffering from hypertension, the need for early detection is critical. “Even more concerning,” said Prof. Abayomi, “is that 70% of those with hypertension are unaware of their condition, putting them at risk of life-threatening issues like heart disease and kidney failure.”
Obesity, a major contributor to hypertension and diabetes, impacts 12% of Lagos’s population, approximately 3.48 million residents. Prof. Abayomi warned that “sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets are driving up obesity rates,” intensifying the risk of chronic conditions. Similarly, with a 6% prevalence rate for diabetes in Lagos, nearly 1.73 million residents are affected, yet half remain unaware. Untreated diabetes can lead to severe complications, including blindness and cardiovascular disease.
The campaign offers residents free screenings, available at Lagos’s 300 primary health centers and 30 general hospitals. Health workers will conduct tests for blood pressure, blood sugar, and Body Mass Index (BMI), helping citizens take their first steps toward a healthier lifestyle. Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance, explaining, “We need people to take ownership of their health and make regular check-ups a habit.”
The importance of a healthy lifestyle was also stressed, with Prof. Abayomi recommending balanced diets, regular exercise, and stress management. “Live well, enjoy life, but always with balance,” he encouraged, noting that lifestyle changes can often prevent the need for medication.
Reflecting on the importance of health monitoring, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, shared a personal perspective. “The campaign is more than a health check, it’s a call to every Lagosian to take proactive steps in managing their health,” he said, urging journalists to amplify the campaign’s message to the public.
As Lagosians prepare for this crucial screening week, the Lagos State Government invites all residents to “Know Your Numbers and Control Your Numbers,” stressing that early diagnosis can greatly reduce the risks posed by these often silent, yet life-threatening, conditions.