No fewer than 20 Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities across Ogun State have been honoured with merit awards for outstanding performance in the Nigerian Hypertension Control Initiative (NHCI) programme.
Speaking during the award ceremony, held in Abeokuta as part of activities marking this year’s World Hypertension Day, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, said the initiative was aimed at recognising health facilities across the State that demonstrated exceptional commitment to hypertension prevention, screening, management, counselling and patient follow-up services.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Kayode Oladehinde, said the selected facilities emerged based on their blood pressure control rates and adherence to treatment protocols over a six-month period, noting that the recognition would encourage excellence in healthcare delivery and strengthen the State’s response to hypertension.
Dr. Coker disclosed that the NHCI programme, supported by Resolve to Save Lives and Project Hope, is currently being implemented in 236 health facilities across all wards in the State, adding that the programme targets screening all persons aged 18 years and above who visit health facilities.
“We have so far ensured that at least 80 per cent of diagnosed patients have access to quality and affordable medications for blood pressure control. Currently, we have achieved a control rate of 45 per cent and we are striving towards achieving our target of 80 per cent by the end of the year,” she said.
While congratulating the award recipients, the Commissioner commended their resilience and dedication to saving lives through the hypertension control initiative, urging residents to embrace regular blood pressure checks, healthy eating habits, physical activity, reduction in salt intake and prompt medical consultation as part of efforts to prevent hypertension and related complications.
In her goodwill message, the Programme Officer, NHCI, Project Hope, Dr. Adanna Maduka, said her organisation recognised the need to strengthen the existing foundation for hypertension screening in Ogun State in order to encourage residents to check their blood pressure regularly, adding that the initiative had also improved data on hypertension to support informed government decisions aimed at tackling the disease.
Speaking on behalf of the award-winning facilities, the Health Secretary, Ewekoro Local Government Area, Dr. Niyi Opadeji, appreciated the Ogun State Government and its partners for the recognition, saying the award would serve as a motivation for health workers to continue giving their best in hypertension prevention, screening and management at the grassroots.
The award-winning facilities include Opeji Health Centre, Odeda; Alagbon PHC, Yewa South; Oba Gbadebo Health Centre, Abeokuta South; Imeko PHC, Imeko; Ososa Health Centre, Odogbolu; Itori PHC, Ewekoro; Abigi PHC, Ogun Waterside; Iberekodo PHC, Abeokuta North; Itele PHC, Ijebu East; Isara PHC, Remo North; Mowe PHC and Ofada PHC in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, among others.
