Hypertension: Only 1 In 8 Nigerians Has BP Under Control — LISDEL

Only one in eight Nigerians living with hypertension has their blood pressure under control, the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL) has said.

LISDEL, under its Advocacy Partnership for Hypertension Financing and Patient Voice (APH-FiP), disclosed this yesterday as Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark World Heart Day, themed, “Don’t Miss a Beat.”

It said a nationwide survey found that 38.1 per cent of Nigerian adults have hypertension, but only 12.4 per cent of those affected have their blood pressure controlled.

The organisation said the situation was particularly concerning as the number of Nigerians living with hypertension is projected to rise from 20.8 million in 2010 to 39.1 million by 2030, while hypertension already affects 6.8 per cent of adults below the age of 30.

According to LISDEL, cardiovascular diseases account for an estimated 29 per cent of deaths in Nigeria, making hypertension control a critical public health priority.

It, however, said awareness alone would not be enough to reduce deaths from high blood pressure if Nigerians could not afford regular checks, medicines and follow-up care.

LISDEL said most Nigerians pay out-of-pocket for blood pressure checks and medicines, with many forced to interrupt treatment when they run out of money. It also noted that low health insurance coverage, particularly among informal sector workers, further limits access to care.

The organisation pointed to the Hypertension Treatment in Nigeria programme as evidence that better control is possible, noting that the use of the WHO HEARTS package across 60 primary healthcare facilities increased hypertension control from 22 per cent in 2020 to 56 per cent in 2023.

It urged the federal government to strengthen hypertension screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up at primary healthcare centres, while ensuring functional blood pressure equipment, trained health workers and steady supplies of essential medicines.

LISDEL also called on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and state health insurance agencies to fully include hypertension consultations, essential diagnostics and medicines in their benefit packages.

The group urged the National Assembly to strengthen oversight of health budget releases and support the proposed increase in Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) allocation from one to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

The organisation said Nigerians should also check their blood pressure regularly, adhere to prescribed treatment, reduce salt and seasoning cube consumption, remain physically active and enrol in health insurance schemes.

LISDEL Program Director, Damilola AdemuYiwa, said, “Knowing your numbers is the first step, not the destination. A free blood pressure check today means little if the patient cannot afford medicines next month.”

“Hypertension is a health financing issue, and our policy priorities must become financing priorities,” he added.