Abuja: the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL) has advocated for affordable hypertension care, highlighting that currently only one in eight Nigerians with high blood pressure has it under control. This call was made in a statement by LISDEL’s Programme Director, Mr. Damilola Ademuyiwa, during the commemoration of the 2026 World Heart Day themed ‘Don’t Miss a Beat.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria,Ademuyiwa urged the government and relevant stakeholders to progress from mere awareness to the provision of sustained hypertension care. He emphasized that awareness alone is insufficient to reduce hypertension-related deaths without making care affordable and sustained.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) result in over 20 million deaths globally each year, with about 80% of these deaths linked to preventable or manageable risks. It also estimates that 1.4 billion people lived with hypertension in 2024, with only slightly more than one in fiv
e having their blood pressure controlled, indicating significant treatment gaps worldwide.
Ademuyiwa noted that a nationwide survey in Nigeria showed adult hypertension prevalence at 38.1%, with only 12.4% of those affected having their blood pressure controlled. He further stated that cardiovascular diseases account for an estimated 29% of all deaths in Nigeria. The number of Nigerians living with hypertension is projected to rise to 39.1 million by 2030 from 20.8 million in 2010. Ademuyiwa raised concerns about younger Nigerians, as the prevalence of hypertension among adults below 30 years is recorded at 6.8%.
He expressed concerns about the financial barriers faced by many Nigerians, who pay for blood pressure checks and medicines from their own pockets. This often leads to interruptions in treatment when funds are unavailable. Health insurance coverage remains low, especially among informal sector workers, with many being unaware of available hypertension services and benefits.
Ademuyiwa highlighted p
rogress in hypertension control, noting that the control rate improved from 22% to 56% between 2020 and 2023. However, he emphasized the need for continued investment and coverage. He stressed that knowing one’s blood pressure numbers is only the starting point, as access to affordable treatment and support is crucial for managing hypertension.
To address these issues, he urged the government to integrate hypertension screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up into routine primary healthcare services. This should be accompanied by functional blood pressure equipment, trained health workers, and a steady supply of essential medicines. He also called on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and state health insurance agencies to include hypertension consultations, diagnostics, and medicines in their benefit packages, while advocating for increased funding for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Additionally, Ademuyiwa urged the National Assembly to increase the Basic Health Care Provision Fund from
one to two percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund and to pass amendments regarding sugar-sweetened beverages. He advised Nigerians to regularly check their blood pressure, adhere to treatment, reduce salt intake, stay active, and enroll in health insurance schemes for better hypertension prevention and control.
He explained that the advocacy efforts are part of LISDEL’s APH-FiP project, supported by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), aiming to strengthen policy action on hypertension care and expand access nationwide.