Combatting hypertension in Cameroon: a silent threat to public health

High blood pressure has become a formidable silent killer in Cameroon, claiming more than 17,000 lives every year. Currently, approximately one in three adults across the nation is living with this condition. The impact is felt most acutely in major metropolitan hubs like Yaoundé and Douala, where prevalence rates significantly outpace those found in rural or semi-urban areas. Data reveals that nearly 39% of the population aged between 25 and 70 is affected by hypertension.

The lifestyle factors driving the surge

According to Dr. Djoumessi Romance, a cardiologist at the Biyem-Assi District Hospital in Yaoundé, the recent spike in cases is closely linked to shifting societal habits. Many citizens have transitioned to diets that are dangerously high in sodium and fats. Furthermore, the frequent and heavy consumption of alcohol and tobacco has exacerbated the crisis. When these lifestyle choices are combined with advancing age and genetic predispositions, the risk profile for the population rises sharply.

A survivor’s testimony from Nkolbikok

In the heart of Yaoundé, the human cost of this medical crisis is visible in every neighborhood. In the Nkolbikok district of the sixth arrondissement, Faustin Onana Ebodé, an octogenarian, continues his journey of recovery after a life-altering health scare. He narrowly escaped death after suffering a major stroke.

Recounting the night his life changed, Faustin remembers returning home around 10 p.m. before being overwhelmed by intense internal pressure. He suddenly lost the ability to speak, and the entire left side of his body became paralyzed. He credits his survival to the quick thinking of his wife, a professional nurse, who rushed him to the hospital. Until that moment, he had no idea he was living with chronic hypertension.

Prevention and early detection

Public health authorities, including the Ministry of Public Health and the Cameroon Society of Cardiology, are intensifying their calls for collective action. There is an urgent need for citizens to overhaul their daily habits and prioritize early screening. Health experts emphasize that checking blood pressure at least twice a year is a critical step in identifying the condition before it leads to fatal complications or permanent disability.