DTSG, Oborevwori urges adults to participate in hypertension, diabetes screening exercise

**#As State Bureau commences media awareness campaign across Delta State

Delta State Government has appealed to all adults, 18 years and above to make themselves available for the compulsory hypertension and diabetes screening exercise, scheduled to hold across the state, from 28th October to 3rd November, 2024.

The exercise is in compliance with the Federal Ministry of Health’s directive to all States Ministry of Health in Nigeria, under the 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 Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, in a statement on Sunday, said the Bureau had commenced intensive media awareness campaign across the state, through radio jingles, talkshows and other sensitization 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 Delta State Ministry of Health will be conducting the screening daily at designated centers across the state’s three senatorial districts, and 25 local government areas.

He further stated that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had emphasized 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’s essential for all adults to participate, as hypertension and diabetes are significant health concerns, saying that studies showed that diabetes affects approximately 422 million adults worldwide.

The Bureau Chief 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 Secretariat across the state, Oghenesivbe said.

“All adults, 18 years and above are strongly advised to make themselves available at designated screening centres nearest to them for the hypertension and diabetes screening exercise to determine their status.

“His Excellency the Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, is concerned about the health of all Deltans, irrespective of political affiliations, religion or ethnic nationality, and he directed the State Ministry of Health to ensure that the screening is free of charge, meaning that government will bear the cost.

“Officials and medical personnel from Delta State Ministry of Health under the able leadership of the Honourable Commissioner, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, will be positioned at all designated screening centres to conduct the hypertension and diabetes screening exercise on daily basis, from 28th October to 3rd November, 2024,” the statement added.

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