Oyo To Screen 347,304 Residents For Hypertension, Diabetes

Oyo State government yesterday revealed that it has concluded plans to screen 347,304 individuals as ‘Project 10 Million Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers’ commences in Ibadan.

The commissioner for health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi stated this at the unveiling of the “Project 10 Million” with the members of the state executive cabinet at the office of the governor.

According to the commissioner, the project is a nationwide screening initiative aimed at screening 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes across the 36 states and the FCT within a seven-day period this October.

Ajetumobi explained that the objective of the project was to screen 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes, promoting early detection, prevention and control of cardio-metabolic diseases, using the slogan – “Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers.”

She added that, “knowing your vital health metrics empowers you to take timely actions and make the right decision concerning your health, while controlling them prevents complications that may arise from ignorance or neglect.”

The commissioner added that the screening will include blood pressure and blood sugar tests to detect hypertension and diabetes, alongside other anthropometric measurements that pertain to the health of the heart, blood vessels and general body metabolism processes.

She stressed that the screening process was safe and uses standard, point-of-care testing.

“The Nigerian Health Commissioner’s Forum is initiating the project and executing in partnership with professional bodies, developmental agencies and donors.

“Project 10 Million will utilise a team of trained healthcare workers who will visit various communities within each state. They will set up temporary screening stations at designated locations, making the screening accessible to the community,” she said.

The commissioner added that everyone 18 years of age and above is eligible for the screening, which is absolutely free.

Ajetumobi said participants would receive their test results and counselling on the spot.