By Lucky Oji

A physician/consultant, Rivet Specialist Hospital, Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos, Dr. Folashade Soyinka, has blamed the rising cases of high blood pressure in Nigeria on new lifestyles including the eating of junk foods, canned food with preservatives and too much salt.

She made this disclosure during a health week organised by the hospital in Ajao Estate and Isolo area, saying it is the policy of the organisation to give back to the society, hence their free health check-up, tests and scans.

According to her, high blood pressure has become a common phenomenon in Nigerians health concern because people have adopted new lifestyles that are detriment to their health.

She advised the people to reduce salt intake, take a lot of vegetable ,check their blood pressure regularly while those with high blood pressure should take their medication as directed by their doctors

Speaking on the programme, the Managing Director of Hospital, Dr Dapo Soyinka: “We as doctors and as an organization,are committed to the health of the populace, as the Englishman would say, health is wealth. We believe in a healthy nation is a wealthy nation; a healthy community is a wealthy community. I have been in Ajao community for quite some time but unfortunately I have not seen any of this kind of programme in existence.

“It is actually part of the policy of our organisation because we are actually looking forward to that of next year considering the massive turn out that we have now, likely by next year probably around Easter we will have another one on a larger scale”.

The free health week include screening for hypertension, diabetes, kidney diseases scans for pregnant women dietician advice, eye examination and free consultation.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Olufunmi Sefemi commended the management of the hospital for holding the health week, saying the team of doctors attended to them very well and free of charge, calling on other hospitals to emulate the gesture.