NAIRAMETRICS
Around 30 million Lagosians are unaware they have hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, according to new Lagos State government data.
Hypertension affects 8.67 million people, with over 6 million unaware. Obesity impacts 3.48 million, and diabetes affects 1.73 million, half of whom are undiagnosed.
To tackle these silent killers, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum has launched a free state-wide screening program. The Federal Ministry of Health also aims to screen 10 million Nigerians for diabetes and hypertension from October 28 to November 3.
Understanding the silent killers
Prof. Akin Abayomi, the State Commissioner for Health on Friday during a recent presentation, said the campaign tagged: “Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers” will screen 800,000 Lagosians within the one-week window.
- Abayomi highlighted the severity of what he termed the “silent killers”: diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.
- These conditions frequently develop without noticeable symptoms, silently damaging vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, and eyes. “Though they may seem benign at first, they can cause catastrophic health issues,” he warned.
He said This campaign represents a powerful effort in the fight against hypertension and diabetes, which often go undiagnosed until severe complications arise, “I urge residents to participate actively in the campaign to understand and manage their health.”
High prevalence rates
Prof. Abayomi explained that a significant portion of Lagos’s population is affected by these conditions. With a hypertension prevalence rate of 30%, around 8.67 million people are impacted, and alarmingly, 70% of them are unaware of their status.
- “Hypertension is a leading cause of heart disease, strokes, and kidney failure, making this lack of awareness particularly perilous,” he noted.
- Obesity, a major contributor to both hypertension and diabetes, affects 3.48 million Lagosians (about 12% of the population).
Prof. Abayomi cited the rise in sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary habits as exacerbating factors, with obesity increasing the risk of life-threatening diseases.
Diabetes risk and symptoms
Diabetes is another pressing health issue, with a prevalence rate of 6% among Lagosians—translating to 1.73 million residents. Shockingly, about 50% of these individuals are unaware of their condition.
