World Hypertension Day:
May 17 is observed as World Hypertension Day (WHD) all over the world. This year the theme of the day was “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer.” The initiative was taken by The World Hypertension League (WHL), which is an umbrella to organizations of 85 national hypertension societies and leagues. The initiative was taken to increase the awareness about hypertension.
Hypertension, described by doctors ‘silent killer, is a serious public health concern as it impacts silently and thus remains undiagnosed with very high risks to human life. In Kashmir, the health experts say that the silent killer is impacting one in four adults. According to National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), 11% of women and 10% of men aged 15–49 in J&K are living with hypertension. Alarmingly, 57% of the population falls into the pre-hypertensive category—a warning sign that calls for immediate attention. Though it is so widespread, most of the people suffering from hypertension remain unaware of their condition.
While on World Hypertension Day seminars are held and programmes are organised to spread the aware among the people, unfortunately such initiatives remain confined to this particular day only. The health authorities here need to understand how fast this silent killer is spreading and thus gear up to launch massive campaign about it. Kashmir, over all, has good health services network and even in remote areas we have Primary Health Centres. The government should ensure that free health check-ups and awareness camps are organised in different areas regularly. Such camps should be held in local communities, workplaces and schools.
The medical authorities should use local media, both print as well electronic, besides the social media to make people aware about hypertension, its causes symptoms and management. The government has a good network of ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) and ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse Midwives). These workers should be tasked to educate communities about hypertension.
The government need to strengthen primary healthcare services to provide regular blood pressure checks and monitoring while engaging the public. For public engagement health authorities should tie up with civil society groups and NGOs who would help them organise health melas for a massive awareness campaign. Some experts say that hypertension and pre-hypertension are increasingly seen among children and adolescents. If this is the case, the health authorities should focus on Schools. The health programmes of schools should include annual blood pressure screenings.