Ituku Community of Enugu State on Monday 8^th, June 2015 witnessed a large turnout of indigenes who participated in the free Mass Screening and Hypertension Management, courtesy Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc. The event which took place at the Central School had about 25 (Twenty-Five) medical professionals in attendance, led by Prof. Basen J. C. Onwubere.

In his opening remarks, the MD/CEO Neimeth Pharm. Emmanuel Ekunno stated that Hypertension, like other non-communicable diseases, has a high prevalence and worsening in our nation. He said that Neimeth as part of  her strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) took deliberate steps to significantly contribute to the reduction of death occasioned by high blood pressure by introducing FITGAH.

FITGAH is a direct intervention programme which applies 4-ALPHA pronged approach namely: AWARENESS, AVAILABILITY, AFFORDABILITY and ACTION. Our management’s decided to reduce the cost of Neimeth’s Anti-hypertensives like Amlovar, Miniplus, Normoretic and Norduet by 50%. The reduction in prices we accept, will certainly erode profit but as a patriotic Nigerian company, Neimeth is committed to complementing effort of the government through FITGAH – an endearing legacy of caring.

Prof. Onwubere expressed his satisfaction and extolled Neimeth for taking bold steps to provide the direction. He said that choosing Ituku was borne out of the revelation observed during the World Hypertension Day, where a lot of people in the community were hypertensive. He re-iterated that hypertension never sleeps.   He asserted that when sleeping, BP should be 90/60 at night.

Prior to the mass screening, a Nutritionist/Dietician, Enuka Hannah Chinyere spoke in vernacular on Diet and how it can help to manage High Blood Pressure.

The traditional ruler, Igwe Cletus Iloabuchi Owoh, who participated in the programme with members of his cabinet said that FITGAH was more important to him than any other engagement and that is why he personally requested all the community to attend.

He thanked Prof. Onwubere who he said had shown great concern to the community hosting the University Teaching Hospital. He prayed for Neimeth to continue with the good fight against hypertension. The subjects isolated will visit University Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu within appointment dates for follow-up.