NIGERIANS have been urged to embrace wellness, by taking charge of their health to reduce incidences of unexpected stroke, heart attacks and sudden deaths.
Managing Director (MD) of PathCare Nigeria, Dr. Pamela Ajayi said on Tuesday that all Nigerians could live in good health, if they are well informed of their health status and live promoting vitality.
According to her and contrary to the notion that only the sick needs physician, individuals should make it a priority to do health checks and be abreast of basic information, otherwise called “essential health numbers”, which are the blood pressure, cholesterol level, thyroid and the lip profile among others.
Presenting the ‘Know your numbers’ card initiative to the public, she told reporters that findings suggest that as many as one in every four Nigerians might be unaware that they have high blood pressure, while some that know could not remember the figures accurately.
“This ignorance means they are oblivious to the risks to their health, because uncontrolled blood pressure is associated with hearth enlargement, unexpected strokes, heart attacks and sudden deaths,” she said.
This basic information, according to her, is the pathway to wellness and promoting vitality. She explained that individuals must be aware that Africans are by nature predispose to hypertension, especially worsened by living in stressful environment.
She added that with the rising incidences of the risk, everyone must take responsibility of their health and not wait for government, because it could amount to suicide in some people.
Advocating health awareness, down to the numbers, she said, “It worries me to see young Nigerians in their 30s die because they do not check their blood pressure and killed by their ignorance. Some people at 170/100 come down with stroke!
“You never can tell who you are. It is no longer a matter of being rich or poor. It cost very little to do these basic health checks, even in some places, they are done free of charge.
“That is why we are embarking on the ‘Know your number’ campaign, giving free health cards available at all PathCare Pathology laboratories and major pharmacies nationwide. This special card showcases all the essential health numbers and also has a unique blood pressure chart, which enables individuals to know how to manage their BPs,” she said.
Ajayi, who also anchor’s Doctors on Air radio programme added that the worrisome statistics prompted the ‘Know your numbers’ radio series aired every Wednesday on Classic 97.3 FM at 8 a.m., to create awareness on the need for Nigerians to take steps at improving their health and live longer, healthier life by choosing wellness.
The series, being a corporate social responsibility of the pathology service provider, PathCare, provide opportunity for listeners to interact with experts in the field and obtain health information. The programme discusses issues from wellness to weight management, blood pressure to blood glucose, cholesterol and other lipids to thyroid screening.
Ajayi said further: “This campaign is a call to action. We are urging Nigerians to take charge by choosing wellness and empower themselves with a greater understanding of their bodies and we hope everyone will take advantage of this.
“Everyone, including the already hypertensive can live in good health. Whether you have high blood pressure or it is normal, high cholesterol or normal lips, it is just important to know your essential health numbers. Establishing a baseline, monitoring any troubled areas, understanding your risks and making the right choices to improve the quality of your life,” she said.
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