In observance of World Hypertension Day 2025, the Kano State Government, through its Ministry of Health, has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling hypertension—one of the world’s leading public health threats.
At a media briefing held on May 17, 2025, following a public health walk in Kano, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, outlined the state’s efforts in line with this year’s global theme: “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer!”
The awareness walk, which began at the Ministry of Health headquarters on Post Office Road and ended at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Nassarawa Hospital, was followed by a press engagement highlighting the importance of prevention, early detection, and management of hypertension.
Dr. Labaran described hypertension as a “silent killer” affecting more than 1.28 billion adults globally. If left untreated, he noted, it can lead to life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.
He emphasized that the Kano State Government is giving high priority to combating the growing burden of hypertension across the state. “We have established dedicated centers for hypertension care across Kano to ensure early diagnosis, access to treatment, and long-term management for patients,” he said.
In support of the government’s efforts, the GAMMUN Centre for Care and Development Nigeria (GCCDN) is partnering with health authorities through quarterly immersion programs aimed at driving community awareness and supporting policy implementation.
Dr. Labaran also called on residents to adopt healthy lifestyle habits to reduce their risk of developing hypertension. “Regular exercise, reducing salt intake, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and managing stress can significantly improve cardiovascular health,” he advised.
He further noted that World Hypertension Day was first established by the World Hypertension League (WHL) in 2005 to raise awareness globally. Since then, health organizations around the world have marked the day with free blood pressure screenings, educational outreach, and community health events.
“Kano’s participation in this year’s campaign is part of our broader effort to improve population health and prevent non-communicable diseases,” the Commissioner concluded.
The Ministry of Health encouraged all citizens to have their blood pressure checked regularly and to remain proactive in safeguarding their heart health.