Over 250,000 FCTA residents for hypertension, diabetes screening

• Kaduna to screen 500,000 residents

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has encouraged residents to take advantage of the Project 10 Million initiative’s seven-day nationwide free screening for hypertension and diabetes.

Over 250,000 residents across 200 communities are targeted for the screening.

Launched by the Committee of Health Commissioners, and supported by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the project aims to screen 10 million Nigerians for blood pressure and blood sugar levels to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which often develop silently and claim lives without warning.

Themed ‘Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers’, the screening will run from October 28 till November 3, with extended dates in the FCT from October 30 to November 6, according to the minister.

Wike, represented by the Mandate Secretary for FCT Administration (FCTA) Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, urged residents to partake in the initiative.

A statement yesterday by Fasawe’s media aide, Bola Ajao, said the FCTA is prepared to handle the project, and has partnered with key stakeholders to combat the diseases.

Fasawe assured residents that the screening is safe and harmless, adding that severe cases, when identified, will be referred to government hospitals, with free medications provided to alleviate financial burdens on patients.

She also urged the residents to take advantage of the opportunity to have their blood pressure and blood sugar levels checked, emphasising that early detection makes the conditions more manageable.

To reach the targeted beneficiaries, health workers will travel throughout Abuja to ensure accessibility, especially in underserved areas, providing equitable access to essential care, she added.

General hospitals, primary health centers, religious centres, markets, garages, and parks will be included to maximise reach and convenience.

The Kaduna State Government is targeting to screen 500,000 residents.
Governor Uba Sani, at the launch yesterday, said the initiative is about empowering individuals with the critical information they need to make informed decisions about their health.

Sani, represented by Deputy Governor Dr Hadiza Balarabe, noted that if about 500,000 people ‘know their numbers, whether for blood pressure or blood sugar, we can drastically change the trajectory of their lives and the lives of those around them’.

He added: “It is not just another healthcare program; it is a comprehensive intervention strategy being undertaken by the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum to combat the rising prevalence NCDs.
“Our approach in Kaduna State will be both strategic and inclusive, covering all the three senatorial zones, through designated screening locations.

“Let’s imagine a Kaduna State where individuals not only understand their health metrics, but are also equipped with the tools to take charge of their well-being. I believe this is not a distant dream; but that it is a very achievable reality. You will agree with me that knowledge leads to awareness, and awareness leads to action.

“If we know our numbers, we can take proactive steps to manage our health, make lifestyle changes, and seek medical guidance when necessary. We can then break the cycle of complacency and ignorance that has allowed these diseases to thrive.”