Through aggressive hypertension awareness and testing campaigns in communities, more than 60 000 new cases were diagnosed and patients put on treatment in the last financial year.
The 60 431 new cases brings the total number of patients who receive medication to control the illness monthly in various public health facilities in Gauteng to 2 544 369.
Today, 7 April is World Health Day and the department encourages these patients as well as the all the citizens of Gauteng to lead healthy lifestyles which include eating well and exercising on a regular basis in order to prevent such illnesses as well as better manage them once diagnosed.
Those who have been diagnosed with hypertension, are encouraged to join the 109 support groups based in communities as this is where they will be exposed to education about management of the illness and have an opportunity to participate in wellness sessions such as exercise programmes.
All public health facilities in Gauteng are equipped with well trained and competent doctors and nurses who manage patients with hypertension and all of them are able to provide treatment. These health workers are mainly based at primary health care facilities but there is a good referral system for patients who need to be managed at secondary and tertiary levels.
“Hypertension is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and as the province we have highly skilled staff to manage patients control their blood pressure levels,” says MEC Hope Papo.
He adds that prevention is better than cure so we therefore encourage people to eat healthy food and exercise regularly to limit their chances of being diagnosed with this disease.
Enquiries:
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 334 9851
