Uche Alexis| 20 May 2018
World hypertension is observed every year on the 17th of May in order to raise awareness and promote hypertension prevention, detection and control. The theme for this year’s celebration is Know Your Numbers, and its purpose is to raise awareness worldwide about the importance of knowing one’s blood pressure measurement.
As part of activities to commemorate the day, the Cross River State Government in collaboration with the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Cross River State Chapter embarked on a television sensitization exercise where they highlighted the significance of the celebration and the various ways to avoid the development of cardiovascular disease which is the main risk factor of High blood pressure.
“People go through lots of pressure and stress as a result of the type of activity they are involved in, but the WHD helps us get knowledgeable about stress and tension. Hypertension is divided into Primary or essential hypertension which are quite common but the causes are unknown, while the secondary hypertension such thyroid and kidney diseases, diabetes etc caused by drugs, bad diet, alcohol, lack of exercise, lack of sleep.
The essence of this awareness is to get people to do proper check-ups at least once a year, and also enlighten them on some of the ways of avoiding the disease. Such as healthy diet, adequate rest, proper exercising and staying away from alcohol and narcotics.” Dr. Inyang Asibong, Commissioner for Health
The Calabar Pharmaceutical Company, CalaPharm, will also be producing hypertension drugs as part of the measurs of by the Governor Ayade-led administration to fight hypertension in the State.