The Anambra State Government has intensified efforts to combat hypertension and other non-communicable diseases, urging residents and civil servants to adopt healthy lifestyles and regularly monitor their blood pressure.
The Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Coordinator in the Anambra State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Egoh Adaku, made the call during the commencement of free medical screenings for workers at the State Secretariat Complex in Awka to commemorate the 2026 World Hypertension Day.
Mrs. Egoh said the exercise, which includes blood pressure, blood sugar and HIV tests, was aimed at helping workers detect health conditions early and take prompt action.
According to her, the screenings form part of the state’s ongoing “Know Your Number” campaign launched in 2023 for adults aged 18 and above.
She noted that early detection could help prevent complications such as stroke, kidney disease and diabetes.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, “Controlling Hypertension Together,” Mrs. Egoh stressed the need for collective action through preventive healthcare and healthy lifestyle choices.
She advised civil servants to engage in regular exercise, avoid sedentary lifestyles, reduce salt and sodium intake, eat more fruits and vegetables, cut down on carbohydrates, and avoid tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption.
“If civil servants treat their lifestyle as a priority, they can significantly reduce their risk of developing hypertension and diabetes,” she said.
Mrs. Egoh added that the free medical tests would continue the following day and encouraged workers who missed the first session to take advantage of the exercise.
Also speaking during a press briefing to mark the occasion, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, disclosed that blood pressure checks are provided free of charge at primary healthcare centres across the state.
Dr. Obidike said about 90 per cent of blood pressure monitoring and related healthcare services in the state were currently being handled at the primary healthcare level to ensure accessibility, especially for rural dwellers.
He described hypertension as a “silent killer,” warning that many people live with the condition unknowingly because it often shows no symptoms.
The commissioner recalled that the state government introduced the “Solution Know Your Number” initiative in 2023 to encourage residents to know and maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
According to him, the programme was designed to reduce the growing burden of hypertension through awareness creation and early detection.
Dr. Obidike warned that hypertension could affect anyone regardless of age or social status, adding that while the condition could be managed effectively, it could not be completely cured.
He emphasized that healthy living, proper dieting and regular physical exercise remain critical in preventing hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.
The commissioner urged residents to visit nearby health facilities regularly for blood pressure checks and early medical intervention.
The initiative is part of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s broader strategy to strengthen preventive healthcare and promote a healthier population in Anambra State.
