From Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Delta State government has appealed to all adults to make themselves available for the compulsory hypertension and diabetes screening exercise, scheduled to hold across the state from October 28 to November 3.
The exercise is in compliance with the Federal Ministry of Health’s directive to all States Ministry of Health, under Project 10 million campaign with the theme: “Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers,” wherein State Health Ministries are expected to screen all adults, 18 years and above, to determine their status.
Director-General, Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Barrister Latimore Oghenesivbe,in a statement yesterday, said the bureau had commenced intensive media campaign across the state, through radio jingles, talkshows and other sensitisation strategies, encouraging all adults to take advantage of the hypertension and diabetes screening exercise.
He said the screening exercise is free of charge and that medical personnel and officials from the Ministry of Health will conduct the screening daily at designated centers across the three senatorial districts and 25 local government areas.
He stated that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had emphasised the need for all Deltans, regardless of political affiliation, religion or ethnicity, to participate, adding that health is wealth, which is why government will continue to take quality healthcare delivery seriously as encapsulated in the governor’s ‘MORE Agenda.’
According to Oghenesivbe, it is essential for all adults to participate, as hypertension and diabetes are significant health concerns, saying studies showed that diabetes affects approximately, 422 million adults worldwide.
He disclosed that the screening exercise shall take place in the following designated screening centres; Delta State Secretariat along Mariam Babaginda Way Asaba, all state government hospitals, Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Asaba, Specialist Hospital, Government House Clinic, Police Clinic, SSG’s Office, Head of Service Office, all universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other institutions of higher learning across Delta State.
The hypertension and diabetes screening exercise shall also take place in all churches, mosques, market places, prisons, public health centers, and in all local government council secretariats.
