The Office of the Edo State First Lady has pledged its support for a preventive physiotherapy campaign by the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy aimed at reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and stroke among women across the state.
The Coordinator of the Office, Mrs Edesili Okpebholo Anani, made the commitment when she received a delegation from the society at the Government House in Benin City.
Anani described the initiative as timely, stressing that greater emphasis on prevention and early detection could save lives, particularly among women who play important roles in their families and communities.
She cited data from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital indicating that women account for 30 of the 40 stroke patients recorded, and called for increased health education and early screening.
The society’s Team Lead, Dr Iyen Osbem, said the campaign would shift attention beyond treatment by providing free blood pressure checks, assessing stroke risk factors in markets and educating women on healthier lifestyles.
Osbem added that blood pressure monitoring devices would be donated to women identified as being at high risk, seeking Anani’s support as Mother of the Day for the forthcoming programme, themed, “The Role of Physiotherapy in the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke.”
The engagement concluded with plans for joint awareness campaigns, market outreaches and free screenings across Edo State in September 2026.
