The Delta State Government has called on all adult residents aged 18 and above to participate in a compulsory hypertension and diabetes screening exercise, which will take place across the state from October 28 to November 3, 2024.
This initiative is part of the Federal Ministry of Health’s Project 10 Million campaign, themed "Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers," which mandates that state health ministries screen adults to assess their health status.
In a statement released in Asaba on Sunday, the Director General of the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Fred Oghenesivbe, conveyed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's commitment to health inclusivity. "Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had emphasised the need for all Deltans, regardless of political affiliation, religion, or ethnicity, to participate," the statement read.
In the statement, The governor emphasised the importance of health in his noting that "health is wealth, which is why the government will continue to take quality healthcare delivery seriously, as encapsulated in the governor’s MORE agenda."
The statement confirmed that the screening exercise would be free of charge, with medical personnel and officials from the Delta State Ministry of Health conducting screenings daily at designated centers in the state’s three senatorial districts and 25 local government areas.
The Bureau has launched an intensive media awareness campaign, utilizing radio jingles, talk shows, and other public outreach efforts to encourage adult residents to take part in the screening exercise.
According to the statement, "It is essential for all adults to participate, as hypertension and diabetes are significant health concerns, as studies showed that diabetes affects approximately 422 million adults worldwide."
The screening centers will include the Delta State Secretariat on Mariam Babaginda Way in Asaba, all state government hospitals, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba Specialist Hospital, Government House Clinic, Police Clinic, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the Head of Service Office, universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other higher learning institutions across Delta State.
Screenings will also be conducted in all churches, mosques, marketplaces, prisons, public health centers, and local government council secretariats across the state.
The Statement added that all adults 18 years and above are strongly encouraged to attend the nearest screening center to determine their health status.
"The governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, is concerned about the health of all Deltans, irrespective of political affiliations, religion, or ethnic nationality, and he directed the State Ministry of Health to ensure that the screening is free of charge, meaning that the government will bear the cost," the statement said. "Officials and medical personnel from Delta State Ministry of Health, under the able leadership of Commissioner Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, will be positioned at all designated screening centers to conduct the hypertension and diabetes screening exercise daily from October 28 to November 3, 2024."
Similarly, The Ogun State Government says it will begin screening of over 350,000 residents for diabetes and hypertension in the state in order to allow them to know their status, take control of their health and avert sudden death from preventable, non-communicable diseases.
Dr Tomi Coker, The state Commissioner of Health, , disclosed this on Sunday while briefing newsmen in Abeokuta, the state capital, setting the pace for the launch of ‘Project 10 Million – Know Your Number, Control Your Number’ in the state.
According to Coker the initiative was part of a national health promotion and awareness campaign spear-headed by the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum.
Coker noted that the one-week humanitarian programme which will commence on Monday, October 28, 2024, is tilted towards combating the increasing prevalence of NCDs, particularly hypertension and diabetes, across the country.
