Hypertension Is Killing More People- Regional Health Director Reveals

The Ashanti Regional Health Director, Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang, says hypertension is causing a lot of morbidity and mortality in the world.

According to him, Africa is experiencing an increase in the prevalence of hypertension because of daily lifestyle changes.

He made this known to newsmen at the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate while commemorating World Hypertension Day under the theme “Measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer”, which is to combat low awareness rates worldwide, especially in low to middle-income countries, and promote accurate blood pressure measurement.

As part of its efforts to raise awareness about hypertension, the Ghana Health Service and the Healthy Heart Africa programs will train Hypertension Champions to launch active community-based hypertension campaigns.

Dr. Tinkorang stated that, “Ghana Health Services remains committed to reducing the burden of hypertension in the region and country”.

He disclosed that hypertension was the 9th cause of Out Patient Department (OPD) attendance but the 2nd leading cause of hospital admissions in the region.

He added that there were over 612,000 newly diagnosed cases of hypertension in the country, out of which over 121,000 were recorded in the Ashanti Region, and this is one of the highest in the country.

World Hypertension day was initiated in the year 2005 by the World Hypertension League (WHL) to increase awareness of Hypertension.

Globally, May 17, is the day to commemorate World Hypertension Day.

Sources: Opemsuo.com/Kwame Adu Gyamfi Kumanin.