Politics
THE Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, FCT Branch, on Friday provided free hypertension services to residents of Kado, Life camp community in Abuja.
The association’s Vice Chairman, Mr Aloba Olatunji, while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the sidelines of the exercise, said the effort was to commemorate the World Hypertension Day.
Olatunji added that the exercise was in collaboration with members from Gwarimpa, Kado and Life Camp Zonal Forum.
He said the forum took the exercise to the Kado community, near the Kado Fish market because the people, especially in the market area, needed to be reminded of the importance of checking their BP regularly.
“Most people in the rural communities or market places like this do not know the risk in hypertension and so, we deemed it fit to enlighten these groups today.
“We will not limit the call for constant checks to only those at the rural areas but even those in the suburbs need to pay cognisance to managing their health status.
“Checking of BP is very essential for all, including children.
“Lately, we found hypertension in pediatrics; we see it in children below the ages of 12 and even in infants who are born with enlarged hearts and had to be put on hypertensive medication for life.
“This is sometimes caused by mothers who refuse to take routine drugs at antenatal stage, or even go for routine medical checks.
“Therefore, it is very important to constantly check your BP level to avoid cutting short your life at a tender age.”
He added that some of the free services the association would render to the residents were to first check their BP, body weight, engaged them in heart-to-heart talks on proper eating habits, sleep and good lifestyle.
Olatunji also said that those with high blood pressure would be given free medication.
In his remarks, the Esu Kado Life camp, Mr Danlami Audu told NAN that he was excited that the association brought the services to his community.
The chief, while appreciating the gesture, said that hypertension had become a thing of concern for many people, due to the stress of life.
He added that it would be a privilege for those who did not check their status to do so freely.
He also urged residents to adhere to the advice given by the medical experts.
Audu said: I check mine regularly and whenever it goes high, I make sure I take the doctor’s advice and stick by it.
“Therefore, it is my duty to encourage my people also, to do same while also encouraging them to find what helps them relax, in form of sporting activities and exercises and do them often.
“This will help us all ease the stress that comes from too much work and overthinking, which mostly leads to high BP.”
One of the residents, Mrs Patricia John, who benefitted from the exercise, told NAN that she is 33 years old and never checked her BP for the first time.
She said that she did not check her BP regularly because she hardly visited the hospital and was not aware that checking of BP was important.
John, who appreciated the association for giving her free drugs to reduce her high BP, promised that she would think less, eat less fatty foods to check her weight and also find other ways to exercise.
NAN reports that the exercise had a large turnout, with more than 15 members of the association who attended to the individuals.
NAN also reports that the theme for the 2024 World Hypertension Day is, “Measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer.” (NAN)
F.A
May 17, 2024
Tags: drugs Free BP Check Kado Community
