Stories by Stanley Onyekwere
In a bid to mitigate high prevalence of diabetics and hypertension, the FCT Administration through its Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES) has commenced free medical screening of 250,000 residents across 200 communities of the six FCT Area Councils.
This was disclosed by HSES Mandate Secretary, Dr. Adedolapo Fasewe, yesterday at the flag-off ceremony of the project 10 million, initiated by the 36 states commissioners of health, and that of the FCT.
While flagging off the project, Fasewe who noted that non communicable deceased are on the increase globally, said studies have shown that North Central Nigeria has the highest prevalence of diabetics and hypertension.
She said the initiative with the tag: ‘Operation Know Your Number’ is simply to know your BP status and blood sugar level.
According to her, there was need to escalate information about the project, so that people, even those in hard to reach locations will make themselves available for the screening when they get there.
Fasewe assured that the screening is free in all the 300 locations in the 200 communities.
She assured: “The screening is free, painless and life saving.
“Younger people are getting affected more and more by hypertension rendering itself as a silent killers.
“A study in Nigeria shows that 40 percent of people in the register didn’t even know that they had BP. Diabetes also is on the increase, but note that non communicable disease does not mean non inheritable.
“Therefore, this programme is to encourage regular checks and knowing the risk factors. Today, the diseases in question are no more older age diseases.”
While charging Nigerians especially Abuja residents to come out for the screening, she urged people to know their family history, so as to guard against any of these non communicable diseases.
“We don’t only screen or test, we teach life style to prevent and encourage sustainability
“Civil servants, please take advantage of this opportunity, the staff clinic has been well equipped to carry out this responsibility.
“Encourage all other workers, your drivers, cleaners, security men to come and benefit from this dividend of democracy.”
“Healthcare delivery in the FCT has significantly improved under Barrister Nyesom Wike, as shown by positive reports from screened civil servants from the flag off exercise today.
“Working under Barrister Wike’s leadership encourages an active lifestyle, which helps reduce risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases”, she stated.
Earlier, the HSES Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babagana Adam, who was represented by the DG, Hospital Management Board, Dr. Olugbenga Bello confirmed that they were ready to screen the targeted number residents in the 200 communities.
It was observed at the FCTA secretariat, venue of the kick off, several screening points were created to attend to people.
