Health Director alarmed over upsurge of hypertension in Bono Region
Dr Abdulai Abukari, the Bono Regional Director of Health, has expressed concern about the upsurge in hypertensive conditions in the region.
He said that out of a total of 5,349 persons screened, 1,792 were hypertensive, with about 15 per cent of them unaware that they had the condition.
Dr Abukari explained that the screening was conducted during the regional observance of Hypertension Awareness Month held in May this year, saying that 500 of the beneficiaries were also referred for further assessment and management.
Hypertension Awareness Month, a global initiative dedicated to raising consciousness about the “silent killer” of high blood pressure, is observed in May every year.
Dr Abukari raised the concerns when speaking at the regional launch of the implementation of the Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) programme in Sunyani on Tuesday.
The event was on the theme: “Free Primary Healthcare: Removing the financial barrier towards achieving universal health coverage”.
President John Dramani Mahama launched the FPHC in April this year and described the programme as a critical pillar in the nation’s journey towards UHC.
The implementation of the programme, among other objectives, aims to bridge the gaps left by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in expanding access to healthcare service delivery in rural and underserved communities.
Dr Abukari urged the public to take advantage of the FPHC programme to know their hypertension status and improve their health status.
He explained that the regional health directorate had adequately trained health workers and provided them with the required support for the successful implementation of the FPHC programme.
Nonetheless, Dr Abukari emphasised that the directorate required support from chiefs and queens, community members, civil society, and the media to make the implementation of the policy successful in the region.
He said the stakeholders’ contributions were essential in resource mobilisation, community advocacy, and strengthening health systems.
Dr Abukari commended the health workers in the region for their dedication and sacrifices towards advancing quality healthcare service delivery in the region, urging them to redouble their efforts, as they remained the backbone of the FPHC programme.
Source: GNA
