About 36.2 percent of inmates currently undergoing jail terms in Kirikiri Federal Prison are hypertensive; a study conducted by Neimeth International Plc has shown.
The study revealed that out of a sample of 69 inmates, only 25 inmates in the facility have low blood pressure.
Neimeth Managing Director, Pharm. Emmanuel Ekunno while awarding three distinguished individuals in the country who have contributed to cardiovascular medicines, Thursday in Abuja identified need for massive campaign against upsurge of hypertension in the nation.
He disclosed that the ailment has also spread to the juvenile which according to him led the organization to embark on free high blood pressure test in Lagos State.
However, Ekunno stated that the awardee, Prof. Solomon Danbauchi, Prof. Basil Okeahialam and Dr. Damatris Osunkwo were conferred Fight the Good Fight Against Hypertension (FITGAH) Ambassador to advocate and counsel the public on ways to avoid hypertension.
In the report titled Evidence Based FITGAH programmes, Ekunno said the campaign is a good fight that should be won in partnership with relevant stakeholders such as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the Federal ministry of Health.
“FITGAH was designed to reduce hypertension and address its consequences including strokes, kidney damage and sudden death,” he said.
In his remark, Danbauchi emphasized that the ailment is caused as a result of excess salt intake, obesity, stress among others.
He listed ignorance, religious bias and poverty among other contributing factors.
Describing hypertension as a silent killer, Danbauchi who is the Chairman, West African College of Physicians Internal Medicine noted that the ailment has no symptom.