WHO: Extends Hypertension Coverage in Southeast Asia
Countries in Southeast Asia are working to expand hypertension coverage and control through primary healthcare, driven by the WHO's SEAHEARTS initiative.
Southeast Asian countries are undertaking a significant effort to enhance the management of hypertension through primary healthcare services. A recent webinar organized by the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, focusing on the SEAHEARTS initiative, underscored the critical need to improve the prevention and control of hypertension in a region where one in four adults experiences high blood pressure.
Statistics reveal that only one-third of adults with high blood pressure receive treatment, and merely one-tenth have their condition under control. To address this disparity, the SEAHEARTS initiative, endorsed in 2023, integrates tobacco control, salt reduction, and trans-fat elimination efforts. It aims to improve hypertension and diabetes coverage and control within primary healthcare settings.
The webinar served as a platform to share successful experiences and best practices, drawing from both regional and global initiatives. The objective is to accelerate the adoption of WHO's technical packages and achieve the interim milestones set forth in the 'Dhaka Call to Action,' including bringing 100 million individuals with hypertension and/or diabetes onto protocol-based management by 2025.
Discussions emphasized strengthening primary healthcare to mitigate hypertension risk factors and increase treatment accessibility. Strategic partnerships and the support from development partners were highlighted as crucial for reinforcing the region's healthcare systems in managing noncommunicable diseases.