Health experts have called for free treatment programmes, stronger policies and improved funding to address the growing burden of hypertension in Nigeria across all population groups nationwide.
The experts made the call during an interview and panel discussion on hypertension burden and control efforts organized by the Legislative Advocacy Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL) in Abuja on Friday.
The event was held ahead of World Hypertension Day, themed “Controlling Hypertension Together: Check Your Blood Pressure Regularly, Defeat the Silent Killer,” observed annually on May 17.
They warned that poor blood pressure control was driving rising cases of stroke, heart failure and kidney disease across Nigeria’s health system and communities nationwide.
They described hypertension as a “silent killer” because it often developed without symptoms and might remain undetected until serious and life-threatening complications occurred.
Prof. Felicia Anuma of the Nigeria Heart Foundation said more than 25 per cent of Nigerian adults were living with hypertension, attributing the rise to urbanization and changing lifestyles nationwide.
According to her, diets high in salt, sugar and fat, sedentary lifestyles, alcohol consumption, smoking and chronic stress are major risk factors driving the condition.
She also highlighted cultural beliefs linking overweight status with prosperity as a major barrier to effective prevention and behavioral change interventions.
Francis Okonkwo of the Patients Advocacy Working Group said high medication costs and inconsistent drug availability in government hospitals hindered treatment adherence among hypertensive patients.
Okonkwo said that unlike HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, hypertension care was largely out-of-pocket, placing heavy financial pressure on affected households nationwide.
“Many patients are forced to choose between buying drugs and meeting basic family needs,” he said, highlighting the economic burden of long-term treatment.
He also cited a case of a patient whose condition improved with treatment but later died shortly after discharge, stressing risks of poor disease control.
Prof. Emmanuel Alhassan of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) said hypertension required lifelong medication alongside lifestyle changes such as diet control, exercise and stress management.
He warned that although herbs like moringa might have potential benefits, they must undergo proper scientific validation through clinical trials before recommendation.
Nanlop Ogbureke of Resolve to Save Lives Nigeria called for increased government funding and stronger implementation of non-communicable disease policies nationwide.
She cited pilot programmes in Kano State integrating hypertension care into primary healthcare through blood pressure monitors and essential drug provision.
The experts urged routine blood pressure checks, reduced salt intake, healthy weight maintenance, and avoidance of smoking and alcohol.
They also called for stronger public awareness campaigns in local languages to improve early detection and correct misconceptions about hypertension.
The panel criticized weak implementation of national NCD policies and low budgetary allocations, urging government prioritization of preventive healthcare services.
They recommended free or subsidized hypertension treatment similar to programmes for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis patients nationwide.
They further called for workplace wellness policies, improved healthcare infrastructure and stronger multisectoral collaboration across key sectors.
They stressed that prevention remains more cost-effective than treatment, given complications linked to uncontrolled hypertension nationwide.
The experts urged sustained medication adherence, routine screening and stronger government commitment to tackling non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.(NAN).
