AYV News, May 25, 2026
More than 25 percent of adults in Sierra Leone are reportedly living with hypertension, making high blood pressure one of the country’s leading public health concerns. Health experts attribute the growing trend to rapid urbanization, excessive salt intake, unhealthy diets, and increasingly sedentary lifestyles.
Many cases remain undiagnosed due to low public awareness and limited access to regular health screening, increasing the risk of stroke, heart disease, and other serious complications.
To mark this year’s World Hypertension Day on May 17, the 27th batch of the Chinese Medical Team to Sierra Leone organized a free medical screening and treatment exercise to help residents monitor and assess their blood pressure.
The initiative, supported by the Chinese Embassy and Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health, promoted early detection and encouraged citizens to regularly check their blood pressure status.
Medical experts at the event stressed the importance of routine screening, healthy eating, reduced salt consumption, and regular exercise in tackling the growing burden of hypertension across the country. Beneficiaries described the free clinic as timely and impactful, especially for people unable to afford regular medical care.
