AfriPulse
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 5 June 2026 – In a powerful demonstration of solidarity and commitment to healthier lifestyles, United Nations staff members and their families gathered at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) compound in Addis Ababa on Friday, 5 June 2026, to commemorate World Hypertension Day through a mass sports activity and relay race aimed at raising awareness about hypertension and promoting physical activity.
Organized under the theme “Controlling Hypertension Together,” the event brought together staff from across the United Nations system in Ethiopia, highlighting the importance of collective action in addressing one of the world’s leading causes of premature death. The commemoration was jointly organized by the United Nations Health Care Centre (UNHCC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO), the World Food Programme (WFP) Clinic, the Federation of United Nations Staff Unions in Ethiopia, and the One UN Sports Family.
Opening the event, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, Dr. Ozonnia Ojielo, underscored the importance of healthy lifestyles and collective responsibility in combating noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which continue to place a growing burden on health systems worldwide.
Representing WHO Ethiopia, Dr. Bejoy Nambiar, Health Policy and Planning Coordinator, emphasized that hypertension—often referred to as the “silent killer”—remains one of the most significant public health threats globally.
“Hypertension is largely preventable and manageable through simple but effective lifestyle choices,” Dr. Nambiar noted. “Regular physical activity, a healthy diet, reduced salt consumption, avoidance of tobacco use, and routine blood pressure screening can significantly reduce the risk of hypertension and its life-threatening complications.”
The urgency of the message is clear. Globally, an estimated 1.4 billion adults live with hypertension, yet fewer than one in five have their condition under control. In Ethiopia, approximately 17.3% of adults aged 18–69 years have raised blood pressure, with many cases remaining undiagnosed and untreated, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and premature death.
The event featured an energetic aerobics session, a hypertension awareness quiz, and a relay race that symbolized teamwork, resilience, and the shared responsibility required to address NCDs. Participants from across UN agencies joined the activities, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to fostering healthier workplaces while promoting positive health behaviors within communities.
Beyond raising awareness, the commemoration also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen hypertension prevention and control in Ethiopia. Through initiatives such as HEARTS, PEN, and PEN-PLUS, WHO continues to support the Ministry of Health in expanding access to quality hypertension screening, early diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management through primary health care services.
The event concluded with a renewed call for individuals and institutions alike to prioritize physical activity, adopt healthier lifestyles, know their blood pressure numbers, and work together to prevent and control hypertension.
As participants crossed the finish line of the relay race, the message resonated clearly: controlling hypertension requires sustained action, shared commitment, and collective responsibility. By leading through example, the United Nations family in Ethiopia reaffirmed its dedication to building healthier communities and advancing the fight against noncommunicable diseases—one step, one screening, and one healthy choice at a time.
Source: WHO Africa | Read the Full Story…
