Several Activities in the West for World Hypertension Day

The Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) will be observing World Hypertension Day on Wednesday, May 17, with several public awareness and free healthcare events in the parishes of St. James, Trelawny, Westmoreland and Hanover.

This year’s theme for the internationally recognised Day is ‘Know your numbers’ and is aimed at increasing the level of awareness about the symptoms, treatment and the importance of getting tested.

Medical Officer of Health for St. James, Dr. Marcia Johnson-Campbell, told JIS News that health teams across the region will be engaged in community outreach activities, and will be seeking to do at least 4,000 blood pressure checks (1,000 per parish) on May 17.

There will be health-screening stations in Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, St. James and at Beckford Plaza in Savanna-la-mar, Westmoreland, while the mobile Health Clinic will be going through several deep-rural communities in St James.

The National Health Fund (NHF), as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, is collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Medical Association of Jamaica, non-governmental organisations, and churches to carry out the blood pressure screenings, which will also take place at select Drug Serv pharmacies and clinics islandwide.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is prevalent in the Jamaican population, with Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey figures showing that one in three Jamaicans is hypertensive – 35.8 per cent women and 31.7 per cent men (2016/17).

The survey also shows that four out of every 10 people with the disease are unaware of their status – 60 per cent men and 26 per cent women.
World Hypertension Day is observed in more than 85 countries worldwide to bring public awareness to the severity of hypertension and its serious medical complications and to provide information on prevention, detection and treatment.