As Nigeria grapples with a rising burden of non-communicable diseases, healthcare professionals have stressed the need for stronger community-based interventions to promote early detection and prevention of conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
The call was made during a comprehensive health fair organised by Victory Drugs Pharmacy in partnership with the Festac Town Muslim Community (FTMC) at the Oba Bi Olorun Kosi Jumat Centre in Festac Town, Lagos.
The outreach, which targeted about 500 young adults and elderly residents, brought together physicians, pharmacists, cardiologists, dentists, physiotherapists, dietitians, laboratory scientists and other healthcare professionals who provided free screenings, consultations and counselling services.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Victory Drugs Pharmacy, Pharm. Folasade Lawal, said the initiative was conceived to address the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and improve access to preventive healthcare. She explained that the programme evolved from a large-scale outreach organised in the past which later expanded after requests from Muslim community leaders who attended the earlier church-based intervention.
“We strongly believe in collaboration and a multidisciplinary approach to patient care,” she said.
Lawal noted that the outreach focused on cardiovascular health, with participants undergoing blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol screenings as well as cardiovascular risk assessments. According to her, hypertension remains one of the most common chronic health conditions among Nigerians, with many individuals unaware of their status until serious complications occur.
“There is hardly any outreach we have done where we do not find people with very high blood pressure who are knowing it for the first time,” she added.
Speaking further, Lawal said the success of the outreach was made possible through the support of several healthcare institutions and corporate partners. El-Lab offered cholesterol tests, Meridian Cardiac Clinic provided cardiology consultations, while Rabboni Dental Clinic, nutritionists and physiotherapists delivered specialist care.
She added: “Omron, represented by New Heights, conducted blood pressure checks; Emzor offered Hepatitis B screening; Vitabiotics carried out bone density tests; and Platos supplied body monitors for BMI and body fat assessments. Biofem donated retractable lancets, Roche (ISN) provided glucometers, Pharmacy Plus distributed supplements, while Swipha supported the programme with personnel and souvenirs.”
Speaking in the same vein, clinical coordinator of the programme, Dr Ilerioluwa Lawal, warned that hypertension continues to pose a major public health challenge due to its silent nature.
“A lot of people are walking around with blood pressure readings of 180, 190 and even above 200 without knowing it,” he said, stressing that conditions affecting the heart, kidneys and liver often remain undetected until advanced stages. He urged Nigerians to embrace routine medical checks and necessary lifestyle modifications, particularly where there is a family history of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cancer or cardiovascular disease.
Also lending her voice to the conversation, Director of Medical Services and Disease Control, Lagos State Health District V, Dr Amina Ahmad Bello, described the outreach as a laudable initiative that aligns with efforts to improve healthcare access and reduce inequalities within society.
According to her, many Nigerians still struggle with out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, making community-based interventions an important avenue for reaching vulnerable populations. Bello identified hypertension and diabetes as two of the most neglected non-communicable diseases in the country, noting that many patients only seek care after complications have already developed.
Speaking on the importance of nutrition in preventing cardiovascular diseases, Mrs Jesutola Adegbite noted that unhealthy dietary habits remain one of the major contributors to heart disease and other chronic health conditions. Citing the famous words of Hippocrates, she urged Nigerians to embrace healthier food choices and understand the long-term impact of daily dietary decisions.
