AP tops nation in hypertension awareness drive

The awareness initiatives undertaken by the Andhra Pradesh government to mark World Hypertension Day on May 17 have received national recognition and appreciation from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

In a press release issued on Monday, Health and Family Welfare Commissioner G. Veerapandian said that while states across the country organise awareness programmes every year, the Union government last year issued specific guidelines on how such activities should be conducted during the month-long campaign from May 17 to June 16.

Following these guidelines, Andhra Pradesh organised a series of awareness programmes across the state involving health officials, medical staff, students, and the general public. Activities included public speeches, folk songs, short films, Burrakatha performances, rallies, health awareness meetings, and competitions for students aimed at spreading information about hypertension, its risks, and the importance of early detection and lifestyle changes.

According to the commissioner, the wide range of community-based programmes and the active participation of people at the grassroots level played a key role in the state securing the top position in the national rankings.

As part of the evaluation process, all states were required to digitally submit detailed reports of the activities conducted during the campaign period to the Union government. The submissions were examined by a special expert committee constituted by the ministry to assess the scale, outreach, and effectiveness of the programmes.

Based on the committee’s assessment, the latest rankings announced by the Union government placed Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in first position for their awareness efforts, the statement said. Veerapandian noted that the recognition reflects the coordinated efforts of health department officials, field staff, and partner organisations across the state in promoting awareness of hypertension and preventive healthcare.