The FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat on Wednesday started the project 10 million, initiated by the 36 state commissioners of health and that of the FCT.
Starting the project, the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat has commenced the screening of residents with the target to reach 250 thousand residents to cover 200 communities across the six area councils.
Flagging off the project, the Mandate Secretary of the Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasewe, noted that non-communicable deaths are on the increase globally, but that studies have shown that North Central Nigeria has the highest prevalence of diabetics and hypertension.
She said ‘Operation Know Your Number’ is simply to know your BP status and blood sugar level.
She also said there was a need to escalate the information so that people, even those in hard-to-reach locations, would make themselves available for the screening when they got there.
Fasewe assured that the screening is free in all 300 locations in the 200 communities. Stating that “the screening is free, painless, and lifesaving.”
She, however, warned: “Younger people are getting affected more and more by hypertension, rendering itself as a silent killer.
“A study in Nigeria shows that 40 per cent of people in the register didn’t even know that they had BP. Diabetes is also on the increase, but note that a noncommunicable disease does not mean noninheritable.
“Therefore, this programme is to encourage regular checks and knowing the risk factors. Today, the diseases in question are no more older age diseases,” she stated.
While charging Nigerians and Abuja residents to take the opportunity and come out for the screening, Fasewe cautioned FCT residents to know their family history so as to guard against any of these non-communicable diseases.
“We don’t only screen or test; we teach lifestyle to prevent and encourage sustainability
“Civil servants, please take advantage of this opportunity; the staff clinic has been well equipped to carry out this responsibility. Encourage all other workers, your drivers, cleaners, and security men to come and benefit from this dividend of democracy.”
“Healthcare delivery in the FCT has significantly improved under Barrister Nyesom Wike, as shown by positive reports from screened civil servants from the flag-off exercise today.
“Working under Barrister Wike’s leadership encourages an active lifestyle, which helps reduce risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases,” she stated.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Health Services and Environment, Dr Babagana Adam, who was represented by the DG, Hospital Management Board, Dr Olugbenga Bello, confirmed that they were ready to serve 250 thousand residents in 200 communities.
Pleaded with FCT residents to come out and take advantage of the programme.
In the FCTA secretariat, the venue of the kickoff, several screening points were created to attend to people.
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