100 automated blood pressure monitors are installed in public places so people can check their blood pressure and assess their condition themselves.
(Photo: thainews.prd.go.th)
(Photo: thainews.prd.go.th)
Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – The Thai Ministry of Public Health has joinedhands with relevant units to install 100 automated blood pressure monitors inpublic places so people can check their blood pressure and assess theircondition themselves.
Thailand currently has 13 million people suffering from high blood pressure andthe figure is expected to increase. Almost 50 percent of these people are notaware that they have high blood pressure, which can lead to othercomplications.
The Department of Disease Control, the Department of Local Administration andthe Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) signed an agreement to increaseaccessibility to automated blood pressure monitors. The signing ceremony waswitnessed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister, AnutinCharnvirakul.
According to recent studies, 24.7 percent of the Thai population, or about 13million people, have high blood pressure, with 45 percent of them not aware oftheir condition. Because there are no clear warning signs of high bloodpressure, it can lead to other complications like stroke, coronary arterydisease and kidney disease, before being detected.
The Ministry of Public Health and relevant agencies are inviting members of thepublic to look after their health by giving up smoking and drinking, engagingin physical activities and avoiding eating too much saturated fat, salt andsugar. People can check their blood pressure using automated blood pressuremonitors installed in various public places, such as district offices andgovernment centers. The project is initially being launched in Bangok, PathumThani, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan.
The Public Health Ministry has also launched the "Know Your Number, KnowYour Risk" health awareness campaign, with blood pressure monitors beingset up at hospitals and government offices. Meanwhile, the ministry hasprovided courses for village volunteers to become house doctors in theircommunities and assist with the campaign./.
VNA