Approximately six million residents of Lagos State are living with hypertension, with a significant portion unaware of their condition, according to data from the Lagos State Ministry of Health. This revelation was made by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, during a leadership dialogue aimed at strengthening primary healthcare delivery across the state.
The event, organised by the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board in collaboration with development partners, including Nigeria Health Watch, brought together senior government officials, health administrators, and local council leaders to assess the state of primary healthcare services in Lagos. The dialogue focused on identifying areas requiring urgent intervention, particularly in addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
Abayomi described these conditions as ‘silent killers’ responsible for a rising number of preventable complications in hospitals statewide. He noted that roughly 20 percent of Lagos residents, or about six million people, are hypertensive, with nearly 70 percent of those affected, approximately 4.2 million residents, unaware of their condition. This leaves them vulnerable to severe health complications such as heart failure, kidney failure, and stroke.
The commissioner emphasized the importance of routine screening and early detection in preventing life-threatening outcomes, stating that many complications overwhelming secondary and tertiary hospitals could be avoided through simple interventions at the primary healthcare level. Regular blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, weight monitoring, and lifestyle counseling, if effectively implemented at primary healthcare centers, could drastically reduce the burden of these diseases.
Abayomi urged Lagos residents to take advantage of available primary healthcare services, noting that timely diagnosis and proactive management of these conditions are key to building a healthier, more resilient population. The Lagos State Ministry of Health’s efforts to strengthen primary healthcare delivery are crucial in addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, and the commissioner’s call to action highlights the need for residents to prioritize their health and wellbeing. By leveraging primary healthcare services, Lagos State can work towards reducing the prevalence of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases, ultimately improving the health outcomes of its residents.
