… begins free screening of 25,000 residents for hypertension, diabetes

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has called on residents of the nation’s capital city to embark on regular medical examinations to know their state of health, particularly blood pressure.

The Mandate Secretary of Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, who gave the advice at the launch of Project 10 Million Initiative in Abuja,expressed concern about the high number of people being affected by high blood pressure.

The Project 10 Million is a health campaign aimed at addressing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in FCT. Over 250,000 residents are expected to be screened for hypertension and diabetes, respectively through the initiative within seven days of the project.

Fasawe, who noted that high blood pressure affects one in every 27 Nigerians, identified the North Central region of the country as having the highest burden.

She regretted that many affected individuals, unaware of their condition, suffer sudden health complications, sometimes resulting to their sudden deaths.

She assured the residents of the FCT administration’s avowed commitment to emplacing a functional and excellent health services  in the nation’s capital city.

Dr. Fasawe explained that Project 10 Million was intended to screen 250,000 residents, adding that the administration was determined to reach out to the vulnerable and indigents residents with free screening and treatment for four weeks through the initiative.

Dr. Fasawe,who said the project will be carried out simultaneously in the six area councils of the FCT, explained that it targeted the hard-to-reach communities just as the residents in the city centre.

She said: “We are taking this project to the doorstep of people, where they live, where they work, where they play.”

Earlier,Dr. Babagana Adam, Permanent Secretary for HSES, who spoke through his representative,Dr. Olugbenga Bello, assured that the screening would be available at no financial cost in all primary health care centres in the FCT.

He said,“This program ensures residents know their health numbers and can control them, helping to build a healthier population.