WORLD HYPERTENSION DAY: FCTA INTENSIFIES AWARENESS ACROSS AREA COUNCILS
…screens residents
By: Prudence Okonna
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has intensified efforts to tackle hypertension through awareness campaigns, free medical screenings, counselling services, and workplace wellness initiatives across the six area councils of the FCT.
Acting Director, Public Health Department, FCTA, Dr Theresa Nwachukwu, described hypertension as a “silent killer” that requires urgent attention and regular health checks for early detection and management.
She said this during the commemoration of World Hypertension Day 2026, at the Public Health Department Office, on Tuesday, 19th May, 2026.
Representing the Acting Director of the Public Health Department during the event, the Head of Administration of the department, Joy Ameh, explained that the initiative was part of the FCTA’s commitment to staff welfare and preventive healthcare, stressing that many workers often neglect routine medical checks until complications arise.
Nwachukwu urged workers to take advantage of the free screening exercise, noting that participants would not only have their blood pressure checked but would also undergo additional medical tests and receive counselling on how to manage hypertension where necessary.
“The theme for 2026 is ‘Controlling Hypertension Together: Check Your Blood Pressure Regularly and Defeat the Silent Killer.’ Early detection is key. It is important not just to know your status but also to manage it properly,” she said.
Also speaking, the Non-Communicable Disease Coordinator of the Public Health Department, Dr. Olubunmi Adeyemi, described hypertension as persistently elevated blood pressure above 140 over 90, warning that the condition remains one of the leading causes of stroke, kidney disease, cardiovascular complications, and sudden death.
Dr. Adeyemi identified several risk factors associated with hypertension, including ageing, family history, unhealthy diet, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, physical inactivity, prolonged sitting, and workplace-related stress.
She stressed the importance of healthy lifestyle choices such as regular physical exercise, healthy eating habits, and reduced salt consumption in preventing the disease.
According to her, the screening exercise was integrated with health education and counselling services to ensure participants not only know their health status but also understand how to manage diagnosed conditions effectively.
She advised individuals already diagnosed with hypertension to adhere strictly to medications prescribed by qualified health professionals and avoid unregulated treatment options.
The coordinator further disclosed that the Public Health Department, in collaboration with the Primary Health Care Board and development partners, had expanded hypertension screening and awareness campaigns to internally displaced persons camps, religious centres, workplaces, and other strategic locations across the FCT.
Dr. Adeyemi added that the administration was also promoting healthier lifestyles through urban development projects such as walkways designed to encourage physical activity among residents.
She revealed that the department would reactivate regular exercise programmes for workers as part of broader workplace wellness efforts aimed at reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases in the territory.
Meanwhile, a staff member of the FCT Secondary Education Board, Mrs. Sarah Audu Yamusa, commended the FCTA for the initiative.
Mrs. Yamusa said she had no prior knowledge of her condition until she participated in the free medical exercise.
According to her, repeated blood pressure checks conducted during the programme confirmed consistently elevated readings, while her blood sugar level was also discovered to be high, describing the screening as timely and lifesaving.
Mrs. Yamusa said health officials have counselled and provided her with the medication. Adding that she will be provided with a referral letter for continued treatment at a health facility close to her residence.
She urged residents and workers not to ignore free medical outreaches and health screenings, stressing that many people may appear healthy while unknowingly living with serious conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
World Hypertension Day is globally observed annually on May 17.
Abuja Digest reports that, the screening will still be on and available to residents and staff at the Public Health Department Office complex, Area 3, Garki Abuja till 20th May 2026.
