The Nigerian Hypertension Society, NHS, has called on the Federal Government and the National Health Insurance Agency, NHIA, to prioritise the availability and affordability of antihypertensive medicines.
It warned that the high cost of treatment is making it difficult for many Nigerians living with hypertension to manage the condition effectively.
The society said the appeal became necessary because hypertension is a lifelong disease that requires continuous treatment and management, making access to affordable medication critical, especially amid Nigeria’s current economic challenges.
The President of the Nigerian Hypertension Society, Prof. Simeon A. Isezuo, made the call while speaking at a press briefing on Monday in Port Harcourt.
According to him, the rising burden of hypertension in Nigeria remained a major public health concern, with many affected persons either unaware of their condition or unable to keep their blood pressure under control.
“In fact, one in every adult Nigerians has hypertension. And sadly, almost less than one in five of people with hypertension have their blood pressure under control,” he said.
Isezuo noted that poor control of hypertension had continued to expose many Nigerians to life-threatening complications such as stroke, chronic kidney disease, heart failure and heart attacks.
He said the consequences of the disease extend beyond health concerns, contributing to loss of lives, reduced productivity and increased financial pressure on affected families.
“Therefore, hypertension remains a silent killer in Nigeria,” he stated.
Despite the challenges, the NHS president said hypertension can be effectively managed when detected early and treated appropriately.
“There’s, however, a
