In commemoration of the 2025 World Hypertension Day, May & Baker Nigeria PLC hosted a “Walk for Life” sensitisation event under the theme “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer.
Patrick Ajah, the company’s managing director/CEO, led the charge to raise awareness about the growing prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria and the urgent need for early detection and consistent management.
Speaking at the event, Ajah emphasised the importance of regular blood pressure checks, especially in a country where many citizens avoid hospitals until conditions become critical.
“We’re here on another significant Niambican program, World Hypertension Day,” he said. “It’s a time to remind Nigerians of how critical it is to manage their blood pressure. Many walk around unaware they’re hypertensive, and unfortunately, this ignorance leads to sudden deaths, heart attacks, and stroke-related complications.”
Ajah disclosed that during similar campaigns in past years, on-the-spot BP checks revealed alarmingly high levels in unsuspecting individuals. “Today, you’ll witness cases of dangerously high blood pressure in seemingly healthy people. This is why events like this are crucial,” he said.
Addressing a question on the correlation between increasing hypertension cases and drug sales, Ajah noted that while more people are being diagnosed, affordability remains a major barrier. “Yes, the cases are rising, but unfortunately, patronage isn’t matching the numbers because many cannot afford the drugs,” he explained. “Once a patient is diagnosed, they’re often placed on antihypertensive medications for life.”
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May & Baker, according to Ajah, is striving to fill the affordability gap by producing generic versions of essential medications. “Most original antihypertensive drugs come from multinational companies and are out of reach for the average Nigerian. We’re bridging that gap by providing quality alternatives at better prices,” he added.
He, however, decried the harsh impact of the naira devaluation on pharmaceutical production. “All raw materials are imported and paid for in dollars. This FX crisis is pushing prices up, despite our efforts to moderate them,” he said.
While commending the federal government for the recent customs duty waivers on imported pharmaceutical raw materials, Ajah urged consistency and timely payment for local suppliers involved in government programs.
“The executive order is a great initiative, and we’ve started to see implementation,” he confirmed. “But if the government wants this to last, they must ensure that local companies are paid. Many companies have collapsed in the past due to unpaid debts.”
He disclosed that the waiver, if sustained, could help companies avoid further price increases despite ongoing FX challenges. “Even a 5 percent waiver on import duty can save companies over N20 million on a 40-foot container of basic medicine like paracetamol,” he said.
He affirmed that May & Baker’s annual awareness campaigns have consistently prompted Nigerians to check their health status. “We expect at least a 2 percent increase in people showing up to hospitals for blood pressure checks after today’s event. These drugs are not taken on impulse, they require a prescription. But our awareness drive helps people take the first step.”
The event drew participation from top health professionals and government officials, including Modupe Okoh, Director of Medical Services, Health, and Safety at LAWMA; Folashade Tawak, Medical Officer of Health at Ikeja LGA; Olusola Adenariwo, Deputy Director of Community Health Services, Ikeja LGA; Adeseun, Director of Health Education, Health District VI; and Olakunmi Agboibon, Principal Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Lagos State Government.
