.jpeg "Firm reaffirms commitment to fighting ailments including hypertension in Africa")
As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), the global incidence of hypertension is observed in around one-third of the adult population. Among all regions, Africa exhibits the highest prevalence of hypertension, with projections indicating that the number of individuals afflicted by elevated blood pressure in sub-Saharan Africa would escalate to 216.8 million by the year 2030.
According to a report, it was stated that in 2019, the number of fatalities caused by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in sub-Saharan Africa exceeded one million, accounting for 5.4% of the total worldwide CVD-related deaths and 13% of all deaths in the African continent.
In pursuit of this objective, AstraZeneca commemorates World Heart Day and acknowledges its nine-year contribution in combating hypertension and reducing the incidence of cardiovascular and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).The webinar served as a platform for reflection on past accomplishments and deliberation on future approaches to address the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) throughout Africa.
The discourse encompassed an examination of the significance of public-private partnerships in bolstering primary healthcare, utilizing insights derived from the HHA program.
Dr. Yvette Kisaka, representing the Programmes Division of NCD prevention and control at the Ministry of Health Kenya, emphasized the imperative of enhancing health systems in order to attain Universal Health Coverage, in alignment with the objectives outlined in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3) pertaining to the promotion of good health and wellbeing. Hence, in collaboration with our partners, we are currently engaged in the formulation of strategies, exemplified by the National Guidelines for the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases.
The HHA programme's significant contribution in combating cardiovascular disease in Kenya is very commendable, and we remain committed to collaborating with all relevant parties to secure a healthier future for our population.
According to Qutaiba Al Manaseer, the Senior Director of Corporate Affairs for the Middle East & Africa Region at AstraZeneca, the initiative known as Healthy Heart Africa showcases the effectiveness of collaborations between public and private entities in implementing long-lasting solutions that enhance the robustness of healthcare systems at the local level.
We intend to maintain our collaborative efforts with relevant stakeholders in order to address the insidious health threat of hypertension and enhance the overall well-being of patients. The webinar will feature a panel consisting of representatives from Ministries of Health in countries where the program is being implemented, as well as key program partners such as PATH, Population Services International (PSI), Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), African Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP), and Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau (UPMB).
According to the organization, the Home Health Aide (HHA) program has performed more than 38.5 million blood pressure screenings, diagnosed over 3.1 million individuals, trained over 10,600 healthcare professionals encompassing doctors, nurses, community health volunteers, and pharmacists to deliver education, awareness, screening, and treatment services. Additionally, the program has mobilized over 1,300 healthcare facilities to offer hypertension services since its establishment in 2014.
According to the statement, the program is progressing as planned towards its goal of reaching 10 million individuals with hypertension by the year 2025, as evidenced by the collection of 7.7 million blood pressure measurements thus far.