By Peter Agengre
It has emerged that over 6,500 people in the Upper East Region have been diagnosed with hypertension between January and April 2025. According to the Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakri, the figure is alarming and delay in its detection may lead to stroke and other complications.
“Last year for instance, we in the UER recorded 23,738 cases of hypertension and 74 certified hypertension related deaths (dhims2). From January to April this year, we have already recorded 6,597 new cases of hypertension, 463 new cases of cardiac (heart) disease and 81 new stroke cases. When hypertension is not detected early, or when detected and not controlled, it can lead to Stroke, Heart attacks, Heart failure, Kidney failure among others, ” Dr. Braimah explained.
Hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure is seen as a silent killer and affects other body organs. It is a condition in which the blood vessels (arteries) have persistently raised pressure. During the launch of World Hypertension Day in Bolgatanga, the Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari indicated that the figure is far less than those roaming with hypertension.
“Hypertension is a major cause of premature death worldwide. A survey conducted in 2023-2024 showed that 19.1% of adults in the country are hypertensive. 24.8% of adults in Ghana have never measured their blood pressure while 50% of hypertensive are unaware that they have hypertension. Only 42% of hypertensive are diagnosed and treated.” Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari disclosed, stressing that 74,000 people died in 2024 from hypertension nationwide.
Speaking to GBCNews, the Deputy Director In-charge of Public Health Dr. (Med) Freeman Samson Samani described the situation as alarming, revealing that majority of those with hypertension do not experience any symptoms until the complications set in.
The Regional Health Directorate has earmarked to carry out free screening in all health facilities, encouraging all to measure their blood pressure accurately, control it and live longer, targeting to measure about 50,000 people’s BP by the end of May, 2025 hence the theme “Measure one million.”
