SEBOKENG. – Sebokeng Hospital continues to educate its staff and members of the community about important issues affecting their health. The hospital commemorated World Hypertension Day on 17 May. The day is dedicated to highlighting the importance of monitoring blood pressure and bringing global awareness.

Spokesperson Lerato Sedulawesi says, “The aim of World Hypertension Day is to educate the public and increase awareness of hypertension, which is also commonly known as high blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure (BP) remains the number one contributing risk factor for global death, causing strokes, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular complications”

The commemoration was carried out by the Dietetics Department under the theme: ‘Measure Your Blood Accurately, Control it and Live Long’.

The awareness focused on highlighting the importance of measuring high blood pressure, the leading risk for death and disability globally as highlighted in the recent World Health Organization study on the global burden of disease.

Sedulawesi  states that on the day, Dietitians provided educational sessions and screening to staff and visitors to assist in community and staff awareness around this silent killer.

“Participants who were found to be having uncontrollable blood pressure were attended to accordingly and encouraged to prioritize their health. Staff members were given the opportunity to discuss their health with experts and that all their questions/ concerns were attended to including participants with uncontrollable blood pressure.”

Dietician, Nomvelo Zwane says: “It’s important to get your blood pressure checked regularly and eat a healthy low salt diet that is full of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to prevent hypertension and its complications.”

“We appreciate the team involved in organizing the awareness and encouraging staff members to prioritize their health and make use of healthy lifestyle activities provided by the hospital”, says Chantal Singh, the Manager of Allied Health Services.