Abuja: The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) recently conducted a free medical screening event for diabetes and hypertension at the Garki Village Primary Health Centre. This initiative was aimed at improving healthcare access for residents and was funded by AMAC Chairman, Mr. Christopher Maikalangu.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Anthony Orji, Chief Medical Officer of the Pharma Healthcare Department at AMAC, emphasized the importance of the screening as part of an effort to enhance healthcare delivery and promote healthy living within the community. The program included random and fasting blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks, and BMI measurements, which were used to assess health risks among the residents.
Dr. Orji explained that the screening was intended to identify individuals with diabetes and hypertension, provide them with counseling, and refer diagnosed patients to Primary Health Care Centres for further treatment. He also highlighted the need for additional healthcare workers to manage the growing population and called for upgrades to more facilities to function as treatment centers.
Preliminary results from the screening revealed a 40% prevalence of diabetes and a 50% prevalence of hypertension among participants. Final statistics are to be released at a later date. Dr. Orji noted that follow-up treatment for hypertension would be free, while diabetes treatment would be subsidized.
Mrs. Monica Jacob, Officer-in-Charge of the facility, praised the outreach effort, noting that it encouraged individuals who rarely visit hospitals to address hidden health issues like high blood pressure. She also mentioned recent benefits from an NGO outreach that provided health talks on nutrition and pregnancy. However, she pointed out challenges such as irregular water and power supply, and requested a generator or a larger solar system to ensure consistent electricity.
Mr. Emeka Mbanusi, Head of Information and Public Relations at AMAC, stated that this outreach was in line with the Chairman’s commitment to delivering healthcare services at the grassroots level. He encouraged residents of Garki and nearby communities to take advantage of the free medical program to monitor their health and seek early treatment when necessary.
The initiative has been well-received, with similar events previously held in various communities since Mr. Maikalangu took office. Plans are in place to extend the program to all 12 political wards of the council.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the screenings, noting the hope it brought to Garki Village. Malam Abubakar Umaru, a 60-year-old retiree, emphasized the importance of regular medical checks after being diagnosed with high blood pressure. He advocated for monthly screenings to prevent sudden deaths from undetected conditions.
