Malawi yesterday joined the global community in commemorating World Hypertension Day with health experts warning that many people are living with undiagnosed high blood pressure conditions.
The national commemoration was held at Kasambwe Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kabudula in Lilongwe under the theme ‘Controlling hypertension together’. It highlighted ongoing village-based screening programmes aimed at early detection and prevention.
Moyowathu Health Services director Henry Ndhlovu said hypertension remains a major public health challenge in Malawi, affecting about 32 percent of the population.
He said most risk factors associated with hypertension are preventable and communities need greater awareness to reduce the burden.
“Most causes of hypertension can easily be prevented. We are talking about tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse, lack of physical activity and excessive salt intake. These are things people can change if they are properly informed,” said Ndhlovu.
He said the organisation is implementing the Zero Hypertension in Malawi (ZeHyM) Project in T/A Kabudula to shift focus from treatment to prevention through community interventions.
Ndhlovu said community volunteers are conducting awareness campaigns and blood pressure screenings before referring suspected cases to health workers and health facilities.
The campaign has already transformed lives, including that of 53-year-old Siveli Aliyeri, who previously suffered from dangerously high blood pressure linked to heavy drinking and smoking.
He said after changing his lifestyle, including reducing oily and salty foods, his blood pressure returned to normal.
“I could not even cycle for 300 metres without falling from the bicycle,” Aliyeri said.
Senior Chief Kabudula described hypertension as a growing challenge in the area, saying even some subordinate chiefs had collapsed and required hospital treatment.
He dismissed myths linking sudden illness to witchcraft and called for collective action.
Kabudula Community Hospital in-charge Deborah Katete said the catchment area has recorded a sharp rise in identified hypertension cases following intensified screening and sensitisation campaigns.
In a statement released yesterday to commemorate the day, Ministry of Health and Sanitation Principal Secretary Dan Namarika urged people to undergo regular blood pressure checks and seek treatment early.
“Controlling hypertension is critical to reducing complications, improving productivity and protecting future generations, it must be a national priority,” he said.
Medical Doctors Union of Malawi president Henry Makowa said many people only seek medical attention when they feel sick, yet high blood pressure can exist for years without showing symptoms.
On his part, Malawi Health Equity Network executive director George Jobe called for intensified awareness campaigns and initiatives promoting physical activity and healthy living.
The World Health Organisation data indicate that 1.4 billion people worldwide are living with hypertension but only about 320 million have their blood pressure adequately controlled.
World Hypertension Day is observed on 17 May and forms part of Hypertension Awareness.
