Bayelsa State Raises Alarm Over Hypertension Cases

The Bayelsa State Ministry of Health has expressed alarm over the increasing cases of hypertension in the state. During a press interaction on Thursday, Commissioner for Health, Prof.

Seiyefa Brisibe, presented the ministry’s scorecard and revealed that data from a hypertension and diabetes screening exercise indicated a prevalence rate of 10 to 15 percent among those screened, particularly higher among older residents and males. Brisibe emphasized that many residents do not regularly check their blood pressure, leading to late diagnoses and complications.

He announced that the ministry would integrate hypertension screening into routine healthcare services and provide free blood pressure checks through designated emergency ambulances in Yenagoa, with plans to extend this service to riverine communities via a boat ambulance system. He urged residents, especially those over 40, to regularly monitor their blood pressure and glucose levels and advised adherence to medical prescriptions and healthy living.

The state government plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Information to enhance public awareness through various media.