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.
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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.
