Ogun government says it will commence statewide screening of over 350,000 residents for diabetes and hypertension to give them opportunity to know their status, take control of their health and avert preventable non-communicable diseases.
Dr. Tomi Coker, the Commissioner of Health, disclosed this on Sunday while briefing newsmen in Abeokuta, to announce the launch of ‘Project 10 Million – Know Your Number, Control Your Number’ in the state.
Coker said the initiative was part of a national health promotion and awareness campaign spearheaded by the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum (NHCF) .
She explained that the programme was aimed at combating the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly hypertension and diabetes, across the country.
She described NCDs such as hypertension and diabetes as significant health challenges in Nigeria that contributed to approximately 27 per cent of all annual deaths.
The commissioner stressed that the risk of dying from these conditions for people between the ages of 30 and 70 was estimated at 17 per cent.
She noted that there was the urgent need for a comprehensive intervention to ascertain prevalence rate.
She added that the initiative had been endorsed by the Nigeria Governors Forum(NGF) and supported by the Health Commissioners from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to her, the exercise will begin on October 28 and ends November 3, 2024 nationwide and it is expected to capture 10 million Nigerians with a special focus on reaching underserved communities to ensure that vulnerable populations have equitable access to essential care.
The health commissioner said the initiative will be extended to the 236 wards across Ogun 20 Local Government Areas, assuring that the screening will be accessible at all primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities as well as in churches, mosques, parks and markets throughout the state.
“This campaign is not only about screening; it is about saving lives through preventative care. Our objectives for Project 10 Million in Ogun State are clear:Screen a significant number of our residents for hypertension and diabetes during the campaign week.
” Provide immediate counselling and referrals for individuals with sub-optimal results and link newly detected cases to treatment facilities for ongoing care,” she said.
Coker said the campaign will also focus on increasing public awareness about the risks and management of hypertension and diabetes, enhance data collection on the prevalence of NCDs to inform health policies and planning and support the creation of hypertension and diabetes registers in the state.
She urged all citizens of age 18 and above to take advantage of the opportunity by visiting designated facilities or outreach site during the campaign period to get screened.
” In Ogun State, this campaign will complement our ongoing efforts to safeguard the lives of our residents through preventative care. By working together, we can ensure a healthier future for our communities,” she added.
