Harare, 28 Nov. 2013 -- Zimbabwe commemorated a belated World Health Day at the WHO Annex Boardroom under the theme: High blood pressure: WHO + YOU = The key to living longer. The event, which was attended by health workers, partners, members of the public and policy makers focused on raising awareness of the risk factors and consequences of raised blood pressure (also known as high blood pressure or hypertension). Communities were encouraged to check their blood pressure regularly and to follow the advice of healthcare professionals, whilst national and local authorities were urged to create enabling environments for healthy living.

Screening and information booths were set up and participants got a chance to be screened for blood pressure, diabetes and stress, and also got information on healthy foods, symptoms of high blood pressure and where to get help. A fitness trainer was also available and took the participants for a few minutes of light physical exercises that people were encouraged to do for at least 30 minutes a day at least three times a week in order to stay healthy and ward off diseases such as raised blood pressure.

The message from all speakers on the day was that raised blood pressure is a “silent” killer, and therefore people are encouraged to go for regular blood pressure checks to avoid unnecessary complications and premature deaths.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Mungofa, the Director of Health Services in the City of Harare said all health facilities should check your blood pressure at every visit regardless of what you present with, and encouraged people to ask for a blood pressure check if they are not offered one. Another common mes-sage that came up on the day was that the risk of developing raised blood pressure can be minimized through reducing salt intake, eating a balanced diet, and having regular physical ac-tivities.

“For many people, lifestyle changes alone are sufficient to control blood pressure,” said Dr Charimari who spoke on behalf of the WHO Representative. Dr Charimari urged the Ministry of Health and Child Care to implement standardized guidelines for hypertension man-agement in primary health care settings, and said the on-going development of a Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) policy and strategy for Zimbabwe is a step in the right di-rection to address the increasing problem of NCDs including raised blood pressure.

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For more information contact: juliasw [at] who.int