Nigerian Hypertension Society seeks collective action to tackle disease
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
Prof Simeon Isezuo, President, Nigerian Hypertension Society (NHS), has called for collective action to tackle the disease in the country
This is just as the Society joins the global community on Sunday, 17th May, 2026, to mark the World Hypertension Day.
In a statement released in Sokoto on Saturday, he said that the day serves as a reminder that hypertension remains the leading preventable cause of death and disability in Nigeria and the world in general.
Isezuo said, ” This year’s theme “Controlling Hypertension Together: Check your blood pressure regularly and defeat the silent killer” emphasizes that no single group can win the fight against hypertension alone.
” Control of hypertension requires coordinated joint actions by the government, health workers, civil society, the private sector, spiritual and traditional leaders, and families especially in Nigeria.
* The burden of hypertension in Nigeria is enormous with 1 of every 3 adults having the condition.
” Fewer than 1 in 5 of people living with hypertension in Nigeria achieve target blood pressure.
“This is unacceptably low. Hypertension thus remains a “silent killer” as it rarely causes symptoms until it leads to complications including stroke, kidney failure, heart failure, heart attack and premature death.
“Yet hypertension is largely preventable and definitely treatable if detected early. The silent killer can therefore be defeated.”
According to the NHS President, the task of defeating hypertension in Nigeria is however hampered by low awareness, late diagnosis, poverty, poor adherence to medicines, weak primary health care system and unhealthy lifestyle especially high salt intake, physical inactivity and stress.
He added, “The current economic pressures have worsened the situation as it has resulted in rising cost of medicines, transportation to health facilities, and healthy foods.
£These have forced many people with hypertension to skip or take under-dosage of medicines or abandon treatment entirely.
“The Nigerian Hypertension Society is committed to working with the Government, professional bodies, patient groups and all relevant stakeholders to scale up screening for hypertension and push for policies that promote control of hypertension.
“As part of the World Hypertension Day, our member all over the nations will be conducting free blood pressure screening nation-wide and conduct public awareness programmes using the print and electronic media.
“Continuing medical education programme (webinar on hypertension and diabetes) will also be organised for health workers.”
Isezuo said that the Society commends the efforts of the Nigerian Government in the control of hypertension, and call for subsidised essential medicines for hypertension and expanded health insurance coverage.
He continued , “Health workers are encouraged to screen every adult at every opportunity, counsel on lifestyle and follow evidence-based guideline for treatment of hypertension.
*The media should use their platforms to spread accurate information on hypertension.
“Families should support relatives to adhere to their medication, attend follow-up clinics regularly and adopt healthy diets.
“Every individual should know their “numbers” including blood pressure, weight, blood sugar and cholesterol. Together, the control of hypertension is achievable thus defeating this silent killer. “
