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About 200,000 Kwara Residents To Benefit from Free Diabetes, Hypertension Screening
About two hundred thousand residents of Kwara State are being targeted for a statewide free diabetes and hypertension screening, beginning from next week Monday.
The exercise tagged Project Ten Million will hold at all the primary and secondary healthcare facilities across the one hundred and ninety-three wards of the State.
This was announced by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam at a press conference in Ilorin.
Dr El-Imam explained that the screening would ensure early detection of the diseases, as well as prevent complications and sudden deaths.
“During this activity, our trained healthcare professionals will measure blood pressure and blood sugar levels, offer personalised health advice, and provide resources for further care. We will also distribute educational materials to help Kwarans better understand these conditions and adopt healthier lifestyles.”
She pointed out that the exercise which would run from October 28th to November 3rd this year, is in tandem with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s directive that healthcare services be made accessible, affordable, and acceptable by the people.
The Commissioner for Health explained that the project Ten million is a national initiative of the Nigeria Health Commissioners’ Forum targeted at screening ten million Nigerians across the thirty-six States and Federal Capital Territory, for hypertension and diabetes.
“Hypertension and diabetes are often referred to as silent killers. They affect millions of people worldwide, often without any noticeable symptoms until serious complications like stroke arise. This is why early detection and proactive management are crucial. This is the main essence of Project Ten Million, enabling and empowering the citizens of Kwara with knowledge of their vital signs. i.e. their blood pressure and blood sugar numbers and providing them with resources necessary to control these numbers, thereby improving health and well-being.”
She urged residents to take advantage of the exercise to safeguard their health.
Dr El-Imam also mentioned that a statewide breast and cervical cancer screening for women in the State had commenced and would end by December 12, this year.
She urged women of reproductive age to take advantage of the opportunity to know their health status and seek treatment early.
Responding to questions from newsmen, Director, Public Health, Dr Oluwatosin Fakayode stated that the exercise would target only adults.
By Rasheedat Iliyas
