800,000 Lagos Residents To Benefit From Free Medical Mission

The Lagos State government has launched a free week-long screening campaign targeting hypertension and diabetes aimed at reaching 800,000 residents across the state.

The campaign, “Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers” which runs from October 28 to November 3, 2024, is part of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s “10 Million Project,” aimed at combating these often undetected, deadly diseases in the state.

At a press conference yesterday, in Lagos, the Lagos State health commissioner, Prof Akin Abayomi, stressed the urgency of addressing these “silent killers” – hypertension, diabetes and obesity – which affect millions unknowingly.

“This campaign is a powerful step towards fighting diseases that frequently go unnoticed until they cause severe damage to organs like the heart, kidneys and eyes,” adding that early detection remains the remedy.

Statistics shared by Abayomi paint a stark picture that approximately 8.67 million Lagosians (30 percent of the population) live with hypertension, with over six million unaware of their condition.

Additionally, obesity affects 3.48 million, and diabetes impacts another 1.73 million, half of whom are undiagnosed. These health issues, compounded by rising sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets, represent major public health concerns.

“During the campaign week, Lagosians can access free screenings at 300 primary health centres and 30 general hospitals, which will include blood pressure, blood sugar and BMI checks,” Abayomi said, while highlighting the Ilera Eko Health Insurance Scheme’s role in supporting accessible healthcare and enabling residents to pursue regular check-ups all year-round.

The campaign’s broader public health goals were also echoed by the governor’s special adviser on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, who urged parents to limit children’s sugar intake to prevent early onset of obesity and diabetes.

She emphasized that “knowing and controlling your numbers” is a lifelong commitment to managing health risks.