The Hypertension Society of Nigeria has provided free blood pressure measurement and tests to 120 traders at Shehu Shagari International Market in Sokoto, in commemoration of World Hypertension Day 2025.

HSN President, Prof. Simeon Isezuo, led a team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health workers on a road walk through Sokoto township on Saturday to raise awareness about hypertension.

Speaking at the start of the outreach programme, Mr Isezuo explained that the society’s mission was to promote awareness, prevention, early detection, treatment, and control of hypertension, as well as to encourage research in the field.

He emphasised that hypertension was so prevalent in Nigeria that everyone was either affected or knew someone who was.

Mr Isezuo expressed concern over the lack of awareness among people with hypertension, noting that many remained undiagnosed or did not seek proper treatment.

He highlighted that the theme for 2025’s World Hypertension Day, “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer!” encouraged early detection and prompt treatment.

To demonstrate the risk, Mr Isezuo shared an alarming case of a person with a blood pressure reading of 211 over 112, who was unaware of the condition until the outreach.

He added that many individuals were diagnosed during the event and enrolled in medication or referred for further checks at hospitals.

According to him, hypertension is a leading cause of non-communicable diseases such as stroke, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and heart attacks, all of which contribute to high mortality and disability.

Mr Isezuo called on the media to help raise awareness, stressing that hypertension had silently caused more deaths and disabilities in Nigeria than any other disease.

He also voiced concern about the rising costs of medication in Nigeria and commended the Federal Government for its plans to pool medicine procurement.

He described the move as a step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage and urged the private sector and philanthropists to fund health insurance schemes for less privileged Nigerians with hypertension.

Mr Isezuo advocated a return to traditional African lifestyles, with an emphasis on consuming natural diets and engaging in physical activity as a preventive measure against hypertension.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Sokoto State Governor, Garba Manager, lauded the event as a valuable initiative for less privileged individuals.

He noted that the free medications provided supplemented the efforts of the Hypertension Society members and the public.

Beneficiaries of the outreach expressed gratitude, having undergone blood pressure and sugar level tests and received free medications.

The World Hypertension Day, observed on May 17 every year, is dedicated to raising global awareness of high blood pressure and its potential health risks.

(NAN)