Medical experts have urged the Federal Government to make blood pressure medications free and widely accessible, warning that rising treatment costs are increasing the burden of hypertension in Nigeria.
They explained that many patients are unable to afford essential drugs, leading to poor disease management and a higher risk of complications.
According to the experts, hypertension affects about one in three adults in Nigeria and requires continuous treatment. They identified high drug costs and limited access to healthcare as major obstacles to proper management.
They cautioned that failure to address these issues could weaken efforts to reduce deaths linked to cardiovascular diseases.
The experts also called on the government to prioritise universal health coverage, encourage local drug production, and introduce policies that would make life-saving medications more affordable, especially for low-income earners.
The World Health Organization defines hypertension as a condition where blood pressure readings are 140 over 90 millimetres of mercury or higher when measured with a blood pressure device. The organisation notes that although the condition is common, about 46 percent of affected adults are unaware they have it.
Globally, about 1.28 billion adults between the ages of 30 and 79 are living with hypertension, with most cases recorded in low and middle-income countries. Risk factors include ageing, genetics, obesity, lack of physical activity, excessive salt intake, and high alcohol consumption.
Also Read: http://Lab Scientists Warn Against Health Bill
Speaking during a medical outreach in Adesan, Mowe, Ogun State, the founder of Fluxbridge Healthcare Services, Olaide Albert, said many Nigerians struggle to access basic healthcare due to the economic situation, which has contributed to the rise in hypertension cases.
She revealed that more than 200 residents were screened during the outreach, with a large number found to have high blood pressure, some at critical levels. She attributed this to economic pressure and the stress associated with it.
Albert explained that the outreach was organised to support people who cannot afford medical care. She noted that the most common conditions identified were high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and malaria, adding that some readings were dangerously high.
She appealed to the Federal Government to make hypertension drugs accessible to all citizens and advised individuals to take their health seriously by going for regular medical checkups and participating in free health programmes.
Also speaking, a health support staff member, Olusoji Olatidoye, said the outreach aimed to provide care for about 250 residents. He added that those screened received medication and were educated on how to manage their health conditions.
Beneficiaries commended the initiative, noting its positive impact on the community. One of them, Oladokun Olawoye, said good health is essential for contributing meaningfully to society and praised the organisers for timely intervention.
Another beneficiary, Daniel Blessing, said the outreach helped him access treatment he could not previously afford.
Earlier, the President of the Nigerian Hypertension Society, Simeon Isezuo, also expressed concern over the rising cost of hypertension medication, describing it as a threat to disease control efforts.
He advised healthcare providers to prioritise affordable and effective drugs and called on the government to take steps to reduce medication costs. He also encouraged support from the private sector, philanthropists, and religious organisations to help vulnerable individuals access treatment and health insurance.
Isezuo added that hypertension can be hereditary and urged families to promote healthy lifestyles, including balanced diets, regular exercise and routine blood pressure checks. He also encouraged households to support affected members in adhering to treatment and to consider having blood pressure monitoring devices at home.
