By Eunice Nnachi, Yenagoa
As part of it efforts to sensitize people about the dangers of High Blood Pressure (BP) women advocacy group, under the auspices of Standup for Women Society’ (SWS), Bayelsa Chapter has conducted free medical outreach for drivers and traders in the State.
The group while flagging off the medical outreach at the popular Ekeki motor park in Yenagoa, the state capital to mark it’s one year anniversary in the state, said over 250 drivers, traders and those doing business around the area benefited from the exercise.
The South South Zonal Coordinator of the group, Liberator Timinipere Idoko said the exercise became imperative because of the danger blood pressure poses on the people, especially business people who barely have time to do regular checks.
According to her, why they targeted drivers is that their work involved serving humanity, stating that if a driver developed high blood pressure while on steering, the passengers and other people could be at risk.
Idoko said that, the screening and sensitization has helped several traders and commuters to be aware of the dangers of high blood pressure and how to manage it.
Earlier in her welcome address, the state Chairperson Bayelsa, Liberator Eunice Nnachi said, the importance of knowing your BP status cannot be overemphasized, because ignorance is never an excuse.
Nnachi said, “there are cases involving strokes and heart attacks, some of which could have been avoided with timely diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure.
.”Often cardiac and stroke patients experience life changing injuries which require extensive ongoing treatment, and a huge number of these cases could be prevented. We would encourage everyone to get to ‘know your numbers’ and check your blood pressure regularly so that you can seek advice and treatment if you have any concerns.”
The group also donated free drugs to those that, have high blood pressure as well as recommended some to further medical checkups.
Also speaking, a public health educator, Pharm Abila Promise, who described high blood pressure as the silence killer, said most people suffering from it are not aware of it, because high blood pressure may not have much syndromes.
He said the enlightenment is important because they people are guided on how to take their drugs, warning those suffering from it to reduce intake of salt in food.
He said: “Blood pressure don’t have much syndromes, the only syndrome it may give is headache, and not even everybody will even have the headache, that is why it’s good to check it regularly.
“Aside from taking drugs, people with high blood pressure should reduce the intake of salt, salt content in their food should be reduced, they should also check their weights because weight is one of the factors that can lead to high blood pressure.
“To avoid high blood pressure issue, one should eat more of fruits than meat, especially as he/she is aging.” He said.
