The Osun State Government has appealed to residents to prioritise regular blood pressure checks as part of efforts to tackle the growing threat of hypertension.
Speaking on Monday in Osogbo during activities marking the 2026 World Hypertension Day, the Commissioner for Health, Jola Akintola, stressed the need for stronger collaboration between residents and healthcare providers to improve early detection of the disease.
Akintola described hypertension as a dangerous health condition that often develops without obvious symptoms, warning that it remains a leading cause of heart disease, stroke and kidney-related complications worldwide.
He encouraged people across the state to take advantage of available screening opportunities and become more aware of their health condition.
According to the commissioner, this year’s World Hypertension Day theme, “Controlling Hypertension Together: Check Your Blood Pressure Regularly, Defeat the Silent Killer,” highlights the importance of collective action in fighting the disease.
He urged communities to intensify awareness campaigns, noting that anyone, especially older adults, could develop hypertension without realising it.
Akintola advised residents to make routine blood pressure checks a habit and follow medical advice, including proper use of prescribed medications, to maintain healthy living and improve life expectancy.
He also called on healthcare workers and medical institutions to expand hypertension screening and monitoring services for patients already diagnosed with the condition.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Isiaka Adekunle, revealed that the state government has been conducting free screenings and public health education programmes since 2022.
According to him, the initiative, supported by Population Services International, targets men and women aged 18 and above through outreach programmes and fixed screening centres across the state.
Adekunle added that individuals diagnosed with hypertension are being connected to treatment and follow-up care through Primary Health Centres in Osun State.
