As Ghana joins the rest of the world in observing World Hypertension Day, the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate is prioritizing the expansion of screening services for hypertension to Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs).
The theme for the day, celebrated in the Kwadaso Municipality, was “Measure Your Blood Accuracy, Control It, Live Longer,” and it served as an opportunity to conduct hypertension screenings for PWDs in the municipality.
World Hypertension Day is commemorated annually on May 17 to raise awareness about the significance of monitoring blood pressure and to highlight the global prevalence of over one billion people living with high blood pressure.
Funded by the Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), a global health organization, the regional celebration also included counselling sessions on healthy eating and lifestyle for the participants.
Dr Emmanuel Tinkorang, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, highlighted that approximately 1.2 billion people suffer from hypertension without displaying any symptoms.
He emphasized that one of the global targets for non-communicable diseases is to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 33 per cent between 2010 and 2030 by providing access to screening services to create awareness about the condition.
Dr Tinkorang explained that the regional directorate aimed to reach out to PWDs who often do not seek regular check-ups due to their conditions.
Based on routine health facility data from the Kwadaso Municipality, hypertension has been recorded at a rate of 4.2 per cent in 2022, with women comprising 69 per cent of the cases.
To enhance the detection and management of hypertension, the municipality is receiving support from PATH to increase the coverage and accessibility of services in the Ashanti Region.
Mrs Grace Bill Kampitib, the Municipal Health Director, highlighted physical inactivity as one of the risk factors for hypertension and urged participants to engage in active activities.
She encouraged individuals to make routine blood pressure check-ups a regular practice in order to promote long and healthy lives.
Mrs Kampitib also advised them to avoid excessive consumption of sugary and salty foods and instead incorporate leafy vegetables into their diets.
