Ayodele Olalere
8.6million Lagosians reportedly suffers from high blood pressure representing 30% of the state’s population while 6.5million are diagnosed with obesity and 1.7million suffer diabetes on a yearly basis.
The data was revealed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi at a briefing on Friday to announce the commencement of a campaign against hypertension and diabetes tagged ‘Know Your Numbers and Control Your Numbers.’
The campaign which is the brainchild of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, and Health Commissioners Forum is aimed at targeting and educating 10million Nigerians on the danger of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity and providing free medical check-ups and counseling for victims.
According to Abayomi, the campaign will run from October 28 to November 3 simultaneously across all the states of the federation adding that Lagos State has been allocated a target of 850 Lagosians out of the 10million Nigerians.
The Commissioner noted that obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes are close related ailments which may seem harmless but can destroy people’s lives.
He mentioned some of the risk factors of diabetes and high blood pressure to include overweight, sedentary lifestyle, diet high in sugar, too much intake of salt, processed food, family history, old age, smoking, stress and chronic lifestyle.
Abayomi further mentioned symptoms of diabetes to include frequent desire to pass urine, regular thirst, extreme tiredness, blurred vision, wounds not healing on time while symptoms of high blood pressure are headaches, blurred vision, shortness of breath and chest pain.
He said while obesity comes across as an easy going ailment, it destroys people’s lives slowly adding that high blood ‘is often undetected until it’s too late.
He warned that if people don’t pay attention to their busy schedule, they are at risk of being vulnerable to high blood pressure.
While acknowledging that the three diseases are common among Lagosians, he noted that obesity is the leading cause of kidney and liver failure across the world, but assured that they are incommunicable and can be cured.
The Commissioner urge Lagosians to visit over 300 health centres across the state within the one week period of the campaign as the state government has made provisions for them to be tested free of charge.
He also urged them to engage in regular health check-ups, live a healthy lifestyle, eat a balanced diet, reduce the amount of sugar, salt and calories they consume, stay physically active, walk at least 30 mins daily, quit smoking, manage stress and drink alcohol in moderation.
He further warned against consumption of herbal products not certified by NAFDAC revealing that Lagos State hospitals are full of people who have consumed traditional medicines not certified by the agency and their kidneys and livers have failed.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso also urged Lagosians to check their blood pressure regularly.
“Know your numbers. This is a very important campaign. Whatever the federal government wants states to do, Lagos is very ready for it,” he said.