The health campaign is tagged, “Know Your Numbers and Control Your Numbers”.
The campaign will run from Oct. 28 to Nov. 2 at the state’s 300 primary healthcare centres and 30 general hospitals.
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, announced this at a news conference at Alausa, Ikeja, on Friday.
Abayomi said the campaign was a brainchild of the Nigerian Governors Forum to raise awareness and provide free screening for hypertension and diabetes, two leading non-communicable diseases.
“Today, we bring to you a very important public awareness campaign, it is brought to you courtesy of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Nigeria’s Health Commissioners forum.
” It is tagged Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers. It is happening simultaneously across Nigeria.
“States will measure the blood pressure and sugar levels of 10 million Nigerians. This is to bring awareness nationwide to conditions called hypertension and sugar diabetes.
” Of this 10 million, Lagos has been allocated 800,000. The objective is to improve awareness on these ailments,” he said.
The commissioner added that the aim was to encourage health-seeking behaviour among Lagos residents.
“High blood pressure, sugar diabetes and obesity are related. Each of them can quietly and slowly have a devastating effect on one’s health.
“Too much unused sugar in the system will silently start to affect vital organs overtime.
“Obesity is a food tank that is always full but unused, it is a reminder of how lifestyle choices can increase body fat and affect overall health.”
The commissioner advised Nigerians to get tested to know their statuses as regards high blood pressure and diabetes.
He urged them to embrace healthy lifestyles such as moderation in sugar, salt and alcohol consumption.
He also warned against smoking.
The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, said that the state government had done a lot in terms of free medical outreach to help the residents to improve their health.
” Often, when these treatments are given, a lot of residents don’t come back for follow-up, for us to monitor their progress and act accordingly.
” This awareness is necessary because these are silent killers in the real sense of it,” she said.
Mr Gbenga Omotosho, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, called on journalists to participate in the campaign because of stress associated with their job.
“When you go to any newsroom and pick journalists randomly, a high number of them are dealing with hypertension because of deadlines and all of that, but we need to take things easy.
“I’m urging residents to actively participate in the campaign and subscribe to the state health insurance – Ilera Eko – for diagnosis and treatment of other ailments at a subsidised cost. (NAN)
