Abeokuta, 07 December 2020 - My name is Mrs Funmi and was diagnosed hypertensive in 2019 when I went to Obantoko Primary Healthcare facility to check my blood pressure. The nurse told me it was high, and I told her that I had not used my drugs because could not afford them. The nurse told me about the new programme at the centre and I started going regularly because the health workers are kind and the drugs are affordable for me.

Mrs Fummi is one of the beneficiaries of the National Hypertension Control Initiative (NHCI) which was Launched on 12 and 19 of November 2020 in Ogun and Kano States with the aim of strengthening hypertension management at primary healthcare level in Nigeria. The project being piloted in 12 facilities in Ogun and Kano states, will improve awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in both states, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality related to hypertension.

 “The prevalence of hypertension has sounded a loud alarm to the government and its development partners. It underscores why relevant stakeholders are beginning to develop innovative ideas and programmes that will bring about a drastic reduction in the prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria in the next few years. The World Health Organizations Hearts Technical Package, which is an evidence-based treatment protocol, is one of such initiatives, says Dr Tomi Coker, Ogun State Commissioner for Health during the launch of NHCI in Ogun State

Speaking further, the Commissioner adds, “It has proven effective for blood pressure control, especially with the support of Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), countries such as India and China have shown tremendous improvement in hypertension screening and treatment after their adoption of the Hearts Technical Package.  It gladdens my heart that RTSL is currently supporting the Federal Ministry of Health through the WHO to help reduce the prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria.” 

She said that, “We are privileged to have the pilot of the NHCI in Ogun state. Without any doubt, this initiative will increase demand for hypertension care and treatment services in our PHCs, strengthen service delivery and the data management system for hypertension in our facilities. This project will be rigorously evaluated to in order for us to understand the contextual factors that will contribute to successful implementation and outcomes of PHC-based interventions on hypertension.”

According to the 2018 WHO noncommunicable disease (NCD) profile, 29% of all deaths in Nigeria were due to NCDs and cardiovascular diseases accounted for 11% of the deaths.

Although Nigeria is yet to conduct a nationally representative survey since 1991/1992 to obtain recent NCD risk factor data, a systematic review and meta-analysis of NCDs and its risk factors was carried out in 2018. The review estimated that prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria to be 31.2% (men 29.5%, women 31.1%). 

So far, management of hypertension is mainly done by physicians in tertiary and some secondary centers with little or no systematic management of hypertension at the PHC facility level hence the introduction of NHCI project which is aimed at addressing the gaps in the Management of hypertension in Nigeria.  

WHO Nigeria provided technical support to the FMoH and stakeholders in the development of consensus hypertension protocol, tools for implementation of the project and in conduct of baseline assessment of the health facilities participating in the project. WHO Nigeria in collaboration with RTSL and FMOH also supported the capacity building of the health workers at the state and facility level on hypertension management. 

During launch of the project, blood pressure machines, medicines and ICT equipment were handed over to the State by the Permanent Secretary FMoH represented by the Dr. Umo Ene –Obong, Director Public Health Federal Ministry of Health. The items are to support the seamless implementation of the pilot phase of the project.

Technical Contact:

Dr Kelias Msyamboza; Email: msyambozak [at] who.int (msyambozak[at]who[dot]int); Tel:+234 906 278 4292