The Ministry of Health initiated a comprehensive nationwide awareness and screening campaign Saturday in Algiers to mark World Hypertension Day. This initiative is designed to warn the public about the dangers of this stealthy condition—the primary chronic illness in Algeria—while encouraging early diagnosis and the adoption of preventative lifestyles.
Held under the banner “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer,” the event drew representatives from the World Health Organization, the National Health Security Agency, health sector executives, numerous medical professionals, and media outlets.
During the launch, the Director of Non-Communicable Disease Prevention, Dr. Youcef Terfani, reiterated that arterial hypertension stands as one of the most widespread and perilous chronic conditions globally, labeling it a “silent killer” because its complications frequently remain unnoticed until reaching an advanced stage.
He emphasized that non-communicable diseases, including high blood pressure, pose a monumental public health challenge. This crisis is worsened by the rise of risky lifestyle habits, particularly poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and tobacco use, alongside an aging demographic and increased life expectancy.
In Algeria, high blood pressure ranks first among non-communicable conditions, with an estimated prevalence of 23.6%, whereas globally, one in three adults is affected. According to the World Health Organization, it also represents the leading cause of preventable mortality.
Dr. Terfani stressed the severe repercussions of this pathology, which serves as a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and kidney failure, urging for reinforced prevention and early diagnostic measures.
In this regard, prevention remains the most effective weapon against the disease, notably through eating a balanced diet, cutting down on sodium intake, engaging in regular physical exercise, quitting smoking, and scheduling routine medical blood pressure checks.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health reaffirmed that the fight against non-communicable diseases is a top national priority, backed by the formulation of a new strategic roadmap spanning 2025–2030, which builds upon the initial national framework introduced in 2015.
To commemorate the day, the nationwide screening drive was deployed to educate citizens on the dangers of hypertension and its secondary illnesses, promote regular blood pressure monitoring, foster preventative habits, and improve patient adherence to prescribed treatments.