Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Osun State Government has raised concern over the growing number of hypertension cases, calling for stronger collaboration among health stakeholders to boost public awareness.
Speaking at an event in on Friday Osogbo to commemorate the 2025 World Hypertension Day, themed “Measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer,” the Commissioner for Health, Jola Akinola, emphasized the urgency of early detection and awareness campaigns.
“Hypertension, a silent killer, is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease affecting millions globally,” Akinola said.
Akinola warned that around half of those living with hypertension are unaware of their condition, leaving them vulnerable to severe complications.
“A study in Nigeria puts the prevalence of hypertension at 33%, with some identified risk factors such as physical inactivity, high salt intake, high fat intake, smoking, and excessive intake of alcohol,” he noted.
He called for targeted outreach in underserved communities to encourage regular blood pressure checks and promote compliance with treatment.
“I challenge us to a strong collaboration… to help everyone know their status, comply with their medications and other health advice to live healthy, become more productive and live longer,” he added.
Also present at the event was representative of the World Health Organisation in Osun State, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ojediran, who echoed the Commissioner’s remarks.
She emphasized the importance of lifestyle changes in combating hypertension, urging stakeholders to “join efforts in promoting healthy diets and lifestyle choices,” which are critical to building a healthier and hypertension-free population.
