Over 20,000 turn out for NHF’s blood pressure screenings on World Hypertension Day
Published:Saturday | May 20, 2023 | 1:08 AM
More than 20,000 Jamaicans are now aware of their blood pressure readings following Wednesday’s screening blitz put on by the National Health Fund (NHF) as it observed World Hypertension Day.
The NHF, as part of its 20th anniversary observations, undertook the endeavour to get more Jamaicans to “know their numbers” and to raise awareness about high blood pressure, a condition that often goes unnoticed due to its lack of symptoms but can lead to severe health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease.
The NHF collaborated with the Ministry of Health & Wellness, the Medical Association of Jamaica, non-governmental organisations, private sector entities, and churches to conduct the blood pressure screenings at more than 165 locations islandwide.
The top five parishes were Kingston – 5,031, Westmoreland – 2,844, St James – 2,399, Manchester – 2,004, and St Ann – 1,823. Regarding the ratio of males and females screened, for every two women who were screened, one man was screened.
The main screening locations at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, and the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre in St Andrew were a hive of activity as thousands turned out to get screened.