The Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum has launched an initiative to screen 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes.
The initiative, tagged ‘Project 10 million – Know Your Number, Control Your Number,’ is a sub-national health promotion and awareness campaign aimed at combating the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, particularly hypertension and diabetes, in Nigeria.
The commissioners, in a statement on Monday tagged, “Project 10 million: A synchronised sub-national campaign to increase awareness on hypertension and diabetes,” noted that NCDs such as hypertension and diabetes pose a serious health challenge, contributing to approximately 27 per cent of all annual deaths in Nigeria.
They said the likelihood of dying from these conditions between the ages of 30 and 70 is estimated at 17 per cent, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.
The statement signed by the Chairman of the Nigerian Health Commissioners’ Forum and Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Ekiti State, Dr Oyebanji Filani emphasised that the initiative is led by health commissioners from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and endorsed by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
It said the campaign is set to take place from October 28 to November 3, 2024.
“It aims to screen 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes, marking a significant step in the fight against NCDs. The campaign will prioritise underserved communities, ensuring that vulnerable populations have equitable access to essential care. Citizens can visit any public health service provider or outreach site to get screened.
“The know your number, control your number campaign aligns with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative as led by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate. It is also consistent with the Sector-Wide Approach compact signed with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, reflecting the shared commitment to improving health outcomes for all Nigerians.
“Governors’ Spouses and other stakeholders at the sub-national level will lend their voices to support this cause, amplifying efforts to promote healthier outcomes for millions of Nigerians.”
It highlighted that the project aims to screen 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes during the campaign week, provide immediate counselling and referrals for individuals with sub-optimal results, link newly detected cases to treatment facilities for ongoing care, increase public awareness about hypertension and diabetes, improve data collection on the prevalence of NCDs to inform health policies and planning, and support the creation of hypertension and diabetes registers across states
“This synchronised sub-national campaign represents a critical milestone in the fight against NCDs in Nigeria, ensuring a healthier future for millions of Nigerians. With the combined efforts of state health leadership, the success of this campaign further strengthens the groundwork for future health interventions aimed at reducing the burden of hypertension and diabetes in Nigeria,” it added.
