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NWU staff support blood pressure awareness
Joining the worldwide campaign to raise blood pressure awareness in May, NWU members of staff participated in a series of screenings at the university’s campuses and in surrounding communities. This was part of the largest screening campaign ever.
May was International Blood Pressure Month and 17 May was International Blood Pressure Day.
International Blood Pressure Month is a worldwide screening initiative that highlights the need for increased blood pressure awareness.
The aim is to measure the blood pressure of 25 million people globally to find out just how big the problem is. In South Africa various blood pressure awareness drives have been launched to encourage everyone over 18 to have their blood pressure checked.
Potchefstroom screening sites included the Ingryp Centre, Health Centre, Wellness Centre and the Hypertension Clinic of the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART).
In Mahikeng, blood pressure screenings were conducted at the campus’s Great Hall on 31 May. In Vanderbijlpark, screening took place on 24 May at the lapa at the campus.
Who’s who at the NWU
The NWU’s Prof Ruan Kruger and Prof Angela Woodiwiss of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) are managing the South African campaign. Ruan is the current chair of the New Investigator Committee of the International Society of Hypertension, and serves on the board of directors of the Southern African Hypertension Society (SAHS). He works within the HART research entity, and is affiliated with the Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease Extramural Research Unit of the South African Medical Research Council.
Ruan says high blood pressure is one of the most reported causes of death in South Africa. “It is also an enormous problem on a global scale. Every year, 10 million people worldwide die from chronic high blood pressure because of strokes, heart attacks or something caused by the condition. Almost half of those people never knew they had high blood pressure. This could have been prevented by having blood pressure regularly checked so that healthier choices to promote longevity can be made.”
Blood pressure screenings took place at the lapa at the NWU’s
campus in Vanderbiljpark.
Colleen O'Grady of Technical Services had her blood pressure tested as part of the blood pressure awareness drive
on the NWU’s campus in Vanderbijlpark.
This group of dedicated NWU staff helped to inform students and staff about the importance of a
healthy lifestyle and regular blood pressure tests.
Staff and students of the NWU’s campus in Vanderbijlpark learned that regular
blood pressure check-ups can save lives.
Staff and students of the NWU’s campus in Vanderbijlpark learned that regular
blood pressure check-ups can save lives.
Henriëtte Mosedi from Student Affairs has her blood
pressure checked by Henriëtte van der Wal, an intern from NWU Wellness.
Jandré du Plessis, Elrize Basson, Sarel Prinsloo, Esti Kruger, Adré Rossouw, Leandri du Plooy and Trisha Redelinghuys of the
NWU’s Institute for Biokinetics, helped with the blood pressure tests.
Luisa Ntjamba, Renshia Fourie and Chanre Strydom, all representatives of 4D Health, Bonita Maboeta
, manager of NWU Wellness and Mario Chauque, HIV/Aids programme coordinator at the NWU, helped to raise
awareness during international Blood Pressure Day in May.
Sr Tebogo Ngakantsi checks Prof Ravinder Rena's blood pressure. He is from the
School of Business and Governance on the campus in Mahikeng.
Phephile Shongwe and Trude Gareko of the South African National Blood Service
helped staff and students to determine their blood groups.
Ernie Bermeim from Health Kinetics checks Precious Peme's heartbeat.
Precious is the manager of the Faculty of Law.
There is nothing better than a good massage; just ask
Prof Masood Khalique.
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