The global health non-profit PATH, in partnership with the Ghana Health Service and AstraZeneca’s Healthy Heart Africa initiative, has commemorated this year’s World Hypertension Day with renewed calls for Ghanaians to regularly monitor their blood pressure and take proactive steps to prevent hypertension-related deaths.
Observed globally on May 17 each year, World Hypertension Day was established in 2005 by the World Hypertension League to raise awareness about hypertension, commonly referred to as the “silent killer.” This year’s theme, “Controlling Hypertension Together: Check Your Blood Pressure Regularly, Defeat the Silent Killer,” underscores the urgent need for early detection and effective management of the disease.
According to global health statistics, an estimated 1.4 billion people between the ages of 30 and 79 were living with high blood pressure in 2024, yet fewer than one in five had their condition adequately controlled. In Ghana, non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, account for approximately 42 percent of all deaths, with nearly 34 percent of the population affected by high blood pressure.
Health experts indicate that while about half of those affected are aware of their condition, only 37 percent are currently receiving treatment, and just 19 percent have their blood pressure under control.
To help address the growing burden of hypertension in the country, Healthy Heart Africa (HHA), an AstraZeneca health equity initiative implemented in partnership with PATH and the Ghana Health Service, has intensified efforts to promote awareness, screening, and early detection at the primary healthcare level.
Since the programme’s introduction in Ghana in 2019, over 3.4 million blood pressure screenings have been conducted nationwide. More than 740,000 individuals were identified with elevated blood pressure levels, while over 152,000 people diagnosed with hypertension have been linked to healthcare facilities for treatment and continued care.
As part of activities marking the 2026 World Hypertension Day celebration, PATH, the Ghana Health Service, and Healthy Heart Africa organized screening outreach programmes, radio health discussions, and community awareness campaigns in both Accra and Kumasi, focusing on prevention, lifestyle modification, and early diagnosis.
Speaking on the significance of the day, Dr. Robert Yeboah, Programme Director for Healthy Heart Africa at PATH Ghana, described hypertension as a preventable condition that requires collective action and sustained public education.
He emphasized that regular blood pressure checks, adherence to treatment, healthy dieting, exercise, and reduced salt intake remain essential in combating the disease and preventing complications such as stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease.
“Today is a rallying call to raise public awareness of the silent nature and dangers of hypertension and make hypertension prevention and control every person’s business,” Dr. Yeboah stated.
PATH, a global non-profit organization with over four decades of experience in advancing health equity through multisector partnerships, continues to work with governments and stakeholders worldwide to strengthen healthcare systems and improve access to lifesaving interventions.
Healthy Heart Africa, AstraZeneca’s flagship cardiovascular health programme, currently operates in nine African countries and has so far conducted more than 80.6 million blood pressure screenings, trained nearly 12,000 healthcare workers, and activated over 1,700 healthcare facilities across the continent.
