By Abel Leonard/ Lafia
The Chief Medical Director Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) Lafia, Dr. Hassan Ikrama has called on residents in the state to key into the state, Health Insurance scheme to cut cost of treating hypertension.
The CMD, who was represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the Dalhatu Araf specialist hospital lafia, Dr. Aboje Aboje in the health talk programme, organised by the department of Internal Medicine to mark the world hypertension day at the hospital conference hall today.
Dr. Aboje during the programme said that about 36% population suffers from hypertension in Nigeria, explaining that it is a deadly disease attached with complications that affect the body organs such as brain, kidney, heart, liver among others.
He further stressed that a very small percentage of hypertensive patients benefit from health insurance scheme due to the fact that only a few are registered, calling on people to key into health insurance scheme for prompt and quality health care.
“people affected with hypertension can take care of themselves through consumption of balance diet, regular exercise, avoid smoking and drinking of alcohol”
“Despite experiencing prolonged period of normal blood pressure levels, do not skip or halt medications unless your doctor ask you to do so. as it can cause unhealthy and sudden fluctuations which may result in more complications” he added.
Speaking earlier, the Head of Internal Medicine, Consultant Cardiologist at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia Dr. Isa Oborien disclosed that about 30% of Nasarawa state populace are suffering from hypertension in which half of the affected persons do not know the status of their blood pressure.
Mr. Oborien also said that the world health organization (WHO), has disclosed that about 1.13 billion people world wide suffers from hypertension saying hypertension is one of the conditions that often overlooked and untreated.
He explained that the day is set aside to create awareness, educate and develop measures towards combating the rate among populace.
in an effort to combating the increasing rate of hypertension among populace in the state and the nation at large, Dr. Isa said the team will embark on, community outreach, distribution of flyers, and engaging on radio & television programmes.
He therefore call on the state government, and stakeholders to support the team through sponsorship in the fight against increasing rate of hypertension in the state.
Speaking with one of the hypertension patient, Alh. Dahiru Adamu Dandu Who spoke to our correspondent said he never knew he had hypertension until he collapse and was rushed to the hospital and test was carried out indicating his Blood Pressure rising to 160 degree’s, that was when he was told that he is hypertensive.
“I was at home doing my house work until I collapsed, I was rushed to the hospital the first time they treated me and I went back and it happens again so I was rushed back and they told me that I have hypertension, that my blood pressure is 160 degree’s, and they commenced treatment immediately, I have stayed for some weeks now my Blood Pressure is now 120 , I am very OK now” he narrated”.
