The Head of Cardiology at the National Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Oladipupo Fasan has emphasized the urgent need for evidence-based medical practices, a well-trained healthcare workforce, and strong policy implementation to effectively combat hypertension in Nigeria.
Fasan, who also serves as the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Hypertension Society, made this call during an interview on Sunday in Abuja.
He highlighted the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly hypertension, as a sign of Nigeria’s—and Sub-Saharan Africa’s—epidemiological shift.
“We had always battled communicable diseases, but now we have transitioned into the non-communicable disease era,” he said.
Drawing a vivid analogy, Fasan described hypertension as the hub of a wheel from which numerous health complications—such as stroke, heart failure, blindness, and kidney failure—radiate like spokes.
“Heart attack, amputation, erectile dysfunction—all these stem from just having high blood pressure,” he added.
He stressed that national health priorities must include awareness, prevention, treatment, and control of hypertension. This, he said, requires collaboration across sectors and a holistic strategy that spans from grassroots education to national policy change.
“Education, data analysis, and policy are the three pillars of blood pressure control,” he noted. “Medicine is grounded in evidence. Without data, we can’t create or implement effective solutions.”
Fasan also underscored the critical role of quality research and a skilled workforce in delivering effective care.
“A poorly trained health professional is worse than even a herbalist,” he warned.
While acknowledging the efforts of individual clinicians and institutions, Fasan argued that transformative, long-term impact depends on sound public policy. He cited salt-reduction strategies in Scandinavian countries as examples of policies that yielded significant health benefits.
“One right policy can positively impact an entire nation,” he said.
He praised the Federal Government’s recent introduction of a national salt reduction policy, calling it a commendable and strategic initiative.
“If food manufacturers are properly engaged, we would have made major progress with just this one move. Reducing salt intake will lower blood pressure levels across the country,” he explained.
Fasan also advocated for task-shifting in Nigeria’s doctor-led health system. He proposed training community health workers to manage uncomplicated hypertension cases at the primary healthcare level.
“If we can manage hypertension effectively at the PHC level, we’ve won half the battle. Community health workers should be empowered to diagnose, manage mild cases, and refer complex ones,” he said.
Addressing Nigeria’s ongoing brain drain in the health sector, Fasan stressed the need to empower the existing lower-tier health workforce, especially in rural and underserved areas.
“This may be the most realistic and sustainable way to reduce the rate of strokes, heart attacks, and kidney failure,” he concluded.
