By Julian Osamoto
The Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development, LISDEL, says only 12.4 per cent of Nigerians living with hypertension have their blood pressure under control.
The organisation made the disclosure in a statement to mark World Heart Day, warning that awareness campaigns will have limited impact unless Nigerians can afford continuous treatment.
According to a statement signed by LISDEL Programme Director, Damilola Ademuyiwa, a nationwide survey cited by the organisation puts adult hypertension prevalence in Nigeria at 38.1 per cent, while cardiovascular disease accounts for an estimated 29 per cent of deaths in the country.
The organisation says the number of Nigerians living with hypertension could rise from 20.8 million in 2010 to 39.1 million by 2030.
It also notes that hypertension is affecting younger Nigerians, with prevalence recorded at 6.8 per cent among adults below 30.
LISDEL says the high cost of blood pressure checks and medicines forces many Nigerians to pay out of pocket, with some patients interrupting treatment when they run out of money.
It is therefore calling for hypertension screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up to become routine at primary healthcare centres, supported by functional blood pressure equipment, trained health workers and regular supplies of essential medicines.
The organisation also wants the National Health Insurance Authority and state health insurance agencies to include hypertension consultations, essential diagnostics and medicines in their benefit packages, while expanding coverage among informal sector workers and vulnerable groups.
LISDEL is further urging the National Assembly to strengthen oversight of health budget releases and consider proposed amendments to increase the Basic Health Care Provision Fund from one to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
LISDEL says evidence from the Hypertension Treatment in Nigeria programme shows that better control is possible.
According to the organisation, the programme, which applied the World Health Organisation’s HEARTS package across 60 primary healthcare facilities, increased the hypertension control rate from 22 per cent to 56 per cent between 2020 and 2023.
LISDEL says Nigerians should regularly check their blood pressure, follow prescribed treatment, reduce salt intake, remain physically active and enrol in health insurance schemes.
The organisation is running a public awareness campaign on the cost of hypertension care and health insurance as part of its Advocacy Partnership for Hypertension Financing and Patient Voice project, supported by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator.
