By Kemi Olatunde
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Ondo State Government has organised free healthcare services for market women.
The services cover; blood pressure check, body mass index assessment and blood sugar screening, counselling among others.
Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka while commending the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his investment in the health sector, noted that it is important to prevent, diagnose and treat hypertension, stating that about 46 percent of adults with it are unaware they have it.
Describing hypertension as a medical condition that can increase heart, brain, kidney and other diseases, he said it is a major cause of premature death, adding that it is necessary that people pay more attention to behavioral risk factors such as physical inactivity, diet high in salt, fat and sugar, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol.
He mentioned some recent achievements in the health sector to include; free cervical cancer screening for about 5000 women in the state, ongoing deratification exercise in some parts of the state to stem cases of Lassa fever, massive investment in infrastructure and the commencement of the Orange Health Insurance Scheme for Public Servants in the state among others.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Pharm (Mrs) Folukemi Aladenola stressed the relationship between hypertension and diabetes, stating that they not only render their victims incapacitated with resultant low productivity but also kill them untimely.
She stressed the need for residents to be mindful of their health, noting that early detection of diseases increases chances of survival.
Also speaking, Iyalaje/Iyaloja of Ondo State, Chief (Mrs) Kemi Aisida commended government for the gesture, noting that most of the women are too busy to present themselves at health facilities for medical checks.
Iyaloja, NEPA market, Chief (Mrs) Adebiyi Beatrice and Iyaloja, Oja Oba, Chief (Mrs) Bola Olojugba urged beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity to know their health status.
