The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of University College
Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Prof. Temitope Alonge, has said
about 35 per cent of people in the city are hypertensive.
Alonge spoke on an Ibadan radio, Fresh FM, at the weekend.
The CMD said UCH discovered this in a project it initiated
during which its workers tested residents in their homes and offices.
According to him, the tests showed about 35 per cent of
residents live with hypertension, with most of them unaware.
Alonge stressed the need for Nigerians to take their health
serious by embracing preventive measures to reduce sudden deaths.
He said: “The commonest cause of deaths in adult population
since 2004 is stroke due to hypertension. From our tests, about 35 per cent of
Ibadan residents are hypertensive.”
The CMD urged governments in the Southwest states to support
UCH because the patients come mostly from the states.
To help poor patients who sometimes run away after
treatments due to inability to pay bills or reduce preventable deaths among
poor patients, Alonge said doctors make monthly contributions to a fund from where the hospital draws.
In the hospital’s efforts to reduce negative impact of poor
funding, Alonge said UCH concluded plans to manufacture fluids and some basic
drugs.
He said production would begin within the next six months.
The project would be undertaken through public private
partnership (PPP).
The project, he said, would also include provision of
certain equipment, which the hospital cannot afford. The equipment will bring
convenience to patients as well as possibly reduce cost of tests.
The Nation
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