The Anambra State government has introduced blood pressure screening as part of efforts to tackle hypertension.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike said at a briefing that the screening exercise will take place in all public hospitals and primary healthcare centres in the state.

According to Obidike, the initiative is part of activities marking this year’s hypertension awareness campaign, which aims to address the growing threat posed by undiagnosed high blood pressure among the people.

The free screening Is currently ongoing at government-owned health facilities, including Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka and General Hospital Enugwukwu, with services available to all residents.

Obidike described hypertension as a “silent killer”, warning that many people remain unaware they are living with the condition until severe complications such as stroke, kidney failure, heart disease, or sudden death occur.

He observed that routine checks and early diagnosis are essential to preventing avoidable fatalities, adding that the state government has intensified the “Solution Know Your Number” campaign which is aimed at encouraging residents to monitor their blood pressure regularly and adopt healthier lifestyles.

He added that the administration is also collaborating with development partners to improve awareness, expand treatment access, and strengthen primary healthcare delivery statewide.

He advised people to maintain healthy diets, reduce alcohol intake, exercise regularly, manage stress, and undergo weekly blood pressure checks as part of preventive healthcare measures.

Meanwhile, Obidike has directed all healthcare workers in state-owned facilities to wear visible identification tags while attending to patients.

The policy, he stated, is intended to improve transparency, prevent impersonation, and strengthen public confidence in the health system.

He added that facility managers would be held accountable for compliance, while monitoring teams would carry out enforcement across hospitals and clinics in the state.

In her speech, the state Non-Communicable Disease Coordinator, Adaku Ego, said awareness activities organized under the campaign include roadshows, public education programmes, free screening exercises, and treatment support services.

Representatives of the World Health Organization and Population Services International, as well as officials from the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, attended the event and reaffirmed support for ongoing efforts to reduce hypertension-related illnesses and deaths in the state. (Vanguard)