Hussaini Kafi in Kano
As the Project 10 Million Campaign commenced across the country, people of Kano state have been urged to come out for screening for hypertension and diabetes.
The call was made by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf on Monday while leading the symbolic commencement of the exercise at the Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA) premises.
Project 10 million concerns with non-communicable diseases, particularly hypertension and diabetes that contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, which Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum aims to address through the project, an ambitious national campaign to screen and treat 10 million Nigerians across the 36 States and the FCT within a designated week.
The objectives of the project are, to among other things, screen 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes, link all new cases for confirmation and treatment, provide short-term drug refills based on available regimens, increase public awareness and knowledge about hypertension and diabetes, encourage healthier lifestyles through education on diet, exercise, smoking cessation, etc
Dr Labaran urged people to participate in the exercise to confirm their health status, adding that those found with the diseases would be provided with free drugs and/or referred to the nearest facility, city, as the case may be, for continued monitoring.
The commissioner advised people to bring their families to the screening centres across the state to be screened free of charge in a week-long exercise which ideally is a paid service, hoping that one million people are expected to be screened across the 44 LGAs of the state.
He said, “It is a giant project that would gulf almost N800 million. So, people aged 20 years and above need to make the best use of the opportunity to get screened for these killer diseases. Those found with one or all of the diseases need not panic, but rather thank the Almighty for the identification of ailment hidden in their body so that they seek remedy.”
Dr Labaran commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for showing concern for the health of the people of the state at all times, lauding the partners and other stakeholders for supporting the project in one way or the other.
