By: Felix Ikpotor
In a bid to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes on the people, the Rivers State Government has launched the states’ Project 10M campaign to screen persons living with the disease.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, while launching the project in Port Harcourt said the project is an initiative of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum in collaboration with the Nigerian Health Commissioners Forum aimed at linking all new cases and reducing the burden on the communities.
She said: Project 10M is a bold and transformative campaign led by the Nigeria Governors Forum in collaboration with the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum. The objective is straightforward but impactful: to screen 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes, to identify and link all new cases to care, and to ultimately reduce the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in our country”.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Mekele Comfort Igwe, the commissioner noted that non-communicable diseases, particularly hypertension and diabetes, have emerged as silent killers in the society, adding that they contribute to approximately half a million deaths annually in Nigeria saying, “They affect people from all walks of life, and they often go undetected until serious complications arise”.
Oreh explained further that Project 10M seeks to break the cycle by promoting early detection and management, thereby helping to prevent life-threatening complications and saving lives.
She added: “This initiative provides a unique opportunity for our citizens to “know their numbers” and take control of their health. Early detection allows individuals to make lifestyle changes, receive treatment, and prevent severe complications such as stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, and blindness thereby taking charge of their health and protecting their futures”.
The Health Commissioner said the screening would be on for the next two weeks at the 23 council secretariats in the state.
The State Coordinator of the World Health Organisation, WHO, Prof Abdulganiyu Giwa, while delivering a goodwill message onbehalf of the Dr Walter Mulombo, the Country Representative and Head of Commission, commended the NGF and the Nigerian Health Commissioners Forum for the initiative, noting that the project would help to create a healthier future for the communities.
Commenting on the theme of the campaign, “Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers,” Giwa said it is important for people to monitor their blood and sugar levels to avoid fatal situations.
On his part, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, RSPHCMB, Professor Kinikanwo Green expressed the commitment of the board towards ensuring that the campaign succeeds.
“For us at the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, because most of this activities happen there, we are committed to ensuring the success of this project.
“If we are able to get about four hundred thousand in Rivers State then we would have done enough, so I want to congratulate the state government and also say that RSPHCMB is committed to the success of this programme and we would ensure that any person they meet at the various healthcare facilities in the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, the needful is done to them,” he stated.
