Beirut, Lebanon- June 2019: Under the patronage of his Excellency, Dr. Jamil Jabak- Minister of Public Health- MOPH launched its national campaign aiming at raising awareness on Hypertension. The campaign titled “Measuring your blood pressure should be an immediate measure “was announced through a press conference that took place in the Ministry and was attended by representatives of different organizations and entities who are part in this campaign, in addition to various media stakeholders.
Hypertension affects more than 40 % of adults, but only 20 % of them are aware of it. This figure highlights the necessity to conduct regular blood pressure tests. This disease is widely referred to as being a “silent killer” because even with the absence of visible symptoms, it might result in severe diseases in the heart and blood vessels. Therefore, measuring blood pressure is the only way to know if any individual is diagnosed with Hypertension.
In light of these facts, the Ministry took part in an international campaign organized last month by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH), in partnership with Servier, the Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension, and the Lebanese Society of Cardiology. The aim of the campaign was to encourage people to conduct blood pressure tests, create awareness on hypertension early detection, and to shed light on hypertension effects on the individual’s general health.
During the conference, the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Jamil Jabak, highlighted the importance of having a nation-wide campaign shedding light on Hypertension. Moreover, he presented the campaign’s current activities in addition to future ones. Dr. Jabak said that the campaign activities consist of disseminating pamphlets and brochures to the public, and to conduct blood pressure tests for citizens across the country. As for the upcoming activities, Dr. Jabak said that they will include: organizing lectures around this disease in municipalities and health care institutions, in addition to offline campaigns in malls located in Beirut and other areas in an aim to increase awareness on this disease.
The national coordinator and the president of the Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension, Dr. Robert Najm, said: “Hypertension is believed to be the main cause of heart diseases and strokes. Other complications which might be resulting from it are heart failures, vascular diseases, Hemorrhage, Renal insufficiency (Kidney failure), Retinal Hemorrhage, and visual impairment. Hypertension can be a main source of death knowing that 50 % of people who suffer from this disease are not aware of it.”
The Director of Sevier International, Jean Christophe Courvoisier, who was present also in the conference said: “Our organization is considered to be a pioneer in the treatment of chronic diseases- and this includes hypertension, diabetes, and other heart diseases. Our mission is not only to provide medication and treatment to these diseases, but taking pre-emptive approaches to address them.”
The campaign titled “Measuring your blood pressure should be an immediate measure” aims to build awareness on Hypertension. The campaign aims to pressure fathers- through engaging their children- to measure their blood pressure levels on a regular basis. It is to note that early detection of Hypertension decreases the possibility of heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, and kidney failures.