By Kemi Olatunde

Ondo State Government has organised free healthcare services for market women in order to improve their health.

This services cover; blood pressure check, body mass index assessment and blood sugar screening, counsellor among others.

Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka while commending the State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his investment in the health sector noted that it is important to prevent, diagnose and treat Hypertension stating that an estimated 46 percent of adults with it are unaware that the have it.

Describing hypertension as a medical condition that can increase the risk of heart, brain, kidney and other diseases, he attributed it to 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 de-ratification exercise in some parts of the state to stem down 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 to 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.

She called for massive participation of residents adding that they should follow strictly medical advice given to them after the programme.

Iyaloya, NEPA market, Chief (Mrs) Adebiyi Beatrice and Iyaloja, Oja Oba, Chief (Mrs) Bola Olojulugba urged beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity to know their health status adding that they should scale down the knowledge gained from the health talk to other residents.

There were health talks on regular exercise and adequate rest, low salt and fat intake, regular intake of fruits and vegetables, alcohol intake limitation, avoiding self medication.

Cross section of beneficiaries who spoke with The Hope commended government for putting in place the programme noting that it has helped not only in the area of their health but also save cost of accessing medical intervention at health facilities.

At the event, over 400 market women benefitted from the gesture.