The Lagos State Government has extended its ongoing free hypertension and diabetes screening campaign, tagged “Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers,” by two weeks, to now run until Sunday, 17th November 2024.
This extension was announced today by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who urged Lagos residents to take advantage of the added timeframe to undergo the critical health screenings, initially scheduled to conclude on 3rd November, the campaign will continue to provide screening services at over 330 designated sites including 30 General Hospitals and 300 Primary Health Centres across the state.
Speaking on reason for the extension, Prof. Abayomi emphasized the importance of health screenings in combating the “silent killer” diseases of hypertension and diabetes, which contribute significantly to the disease burden in Nigeria. “By extending this campaign, we are encouraging more residents to come forward and ‘know their numbers’ so they can take proactive steps in controlling their blood pressure and blood sugar levels,” he said. He added that early detection and management of these conditions are vital to reducing the risk of serious complications, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.
He explained that the “Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers” campaign is part of the national ‘10 Million Project,’ an initiative by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum implemented through the Commissioners for Health Forum, aimed at screening 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes. “Launched on 28th October 2024, the campaign has already screened thousands of residents across Lagos State and Nigeria. The initiative underscores the Lagos State Government’s commitment to prioritizing the health of its residents and preventing chronic diseases through early diagnosis and effective health management”, Abayomi said.
He disclosed that prominent government officials, including the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, and members of the Lagos State Executive Council, were among the first to lead by example, undergoing screenings as part of the campaign’s launch activities.
