The Ogun State Government has announced plans to kickstart a screening excerise of over 350,000 residents to detect diabetes and hypertension illnesses in other to allow them to know their status, thereby having a knowledge of their health status which will help them avoid sudden death from diseases.
This was disclosed today, Sunday, the 27th of October, 2024, by the state Commissioner of Health, Dr Tomi Coker, during a chat with newsmen in Abeokuta, the state capital, where he announce the launch of ‘Project 10 Million – Know Your Number, Control Your Number’ in the state.
The Commissioner said that, the initiative was part of a national health promotion and awareness campaign spear-headed by the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum.
Speaking further, she explained that the one-week humanitarian programme scheduled to commence on Monday, October 28, 2024, is targeted at fighting the increasing prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, across the country.
The Commissioner described hypertension and diabetes as important health challenges in Nigeria that contributed to approximately 27 per cent of all annual deaths, adding that the death risk from both conditions for people between the ages of 30 and 70 years is estimated at 17 per cent.
Her statement read : "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 pointed out that the campaign would also focus on increasing public awareness about the risks and management of hypertension and diabetes, enhancing data collection on the prevalence of NCDs to inform health policies, and planning plus supporting the creation of hypertension and diabetes registers across all local governments in the state.
She called on all citizens from 18 years upward to take advantage of the opportunity by visiting designated and approved facilities or outreach sites 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 stated.
