Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has raised concern over the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in the state, revealing that about six million Lagos residents are living with hypertension.
Abayomi described hypertension, diabetes and obesity as “silent killers,” warning that they are driving a surge in preventable complications such as stroke, heart failure and kidney disease in hospitals across Lagos.
He spoke at a one-day leadership dialogue titled “Strengthening PHC Systems: A Joint Leadership Dialogue,” held in Ikeja, which focused on improving the effectiveness of primary healthcare centres (PHCs).
According to the commissioner, 20 per cent of Lagos’ estimated 30 million population has high blood pressure, with about 70 per cent of affected residents unaware of their condition, leaving roughly 4.2 million people undiagnosed and untreated.
Abayomi noted that hypertension and diabetes often progress without symptoms until serious damage occurs, stressing that routine screening at PHCs could prevent many complications overwhelming secondary and tertiary hospitals.
He identified weak utilisation of PHCs as a major challenge, lamenting that many residents bypass public primary care facilities for private hospitals or informal providers, undermining early detection and continuity of care.
The commissioner called for intensified public awareness, reduced salt intake and regular physical activity, noting that simple lifestyle changes and early detection can significantly reduce the burden of hypertension in Lagos.
