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Over 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from high blood pressure (Hypertension). Hypertension is the biggest risk factor for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. High salt consumption is the cause of hypertension in about 3 in 10 adults.  Globally 7 million die every year from high blood pressure. Reducing salt (Sodium) reduces high blood pressure. Therefore reducing salt intake could prevent many of these deaths.

 On May 16^th, 2009, hosted by Riverwalk Pharmacy, Heart Foundation Botswana commemorated the World Hypertension Day with the theme: “Salt and High Blood Pressure, Two Silent Killers”.  The participation and attendance was very encouraging, with many volunteers supporting the activities.

 World Health Organisation Representative in Botswana, Dr Eugene Nyarko, in his Keynote address, put  it succinctly when he said that “as frightening as the statistics about high blood pressure and its consequences, one powerful weapon we have to prevent it is as simple as controlling your daily salt intake.” He was very passionate about the fact that “today the power to prevent hypertension and many so-called lifestyle diseases is in our hands.” He continued, “we should no longer live with ignorance of the risk factors as the knowledge we have of these risk factors is the power we have been given to take appropriate action to prevent these silent killers.” Nyarko insisted that “it is time to take action, .. time for us all to work towards reducing the burden of such preventable health conditions as hypertension.”

 Prof Kiran Bhagat was also adamant in his welcome remarks that the Power of Prevention and the tool of education is the best medicine.  Encouraging a healthy lifestyle by exercise, restricting salt, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables (live foods) and restricting the consumption of dead foods (meat).  Following these principles would save a great deal of hardship later on with the chronic diseases, one of which being commemorated today.  The obesity epidemic, diabetes, heart disease and cancer all walk hand in hand with unhealthy lifestyle. 

The MC for the day, Lindsey Jones, Brand Manager for Cardiac Clinic, noted that not using salt does not mean one has to eat bland food. Jones advised that natural herbs and spices, which are actually a lot better for our bodies, can be used, and actually make the food even tastier than when using salt.

 Special thanks to the Roche Team who did the kidney function testing, the Boeringher Ingelheim team who did blood pressure testing and the Diagnofirm Medical Laboratories team who did blood pressure testing as well as unveiled the new rapid assay machine, the Piccolo Express from Abaxis Technologies in the USA. This is a portable, outdoor clinical chemistry analyzer with the capability of doing

* Glucose Testing

* Liver Function Tests (AST, ALT, GGT, LDH, ALP, Bilirubin)

* Kidney Function Tests (Urea and Creatinine)

* Bone Metabolism (Total Calcium)

* Amylase

* Lipid Metabolism (Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, VLDL Cholesterol).

* Cardiac profile

 Mr Iqbal Chand, Director of Diagnofirm, explained that “this machine has been brought into Botswana by Diagnofirm as an aid in outdoor diagnostics, due to a high demand to provide rapid testing at corporate organizations and other outdoor functions.” Chand added that “the Piccolo Express is therefore intended to deliver convenient and efficient testing services while helping us maintain the highest quality of services, with the turn-around time is 12 minutes per sample for a full Chemistry profile using only 100 uL of sample.”

The Piccolo express will benefit Batswana in general by providing an option of quick quality diagnosis as well as monitoring patients with different ailments. Hypertensive, diabetic and cardiac patients will benefit from this enhanced monitoring technology as well as other patients on Therapeutic drug monitoring.

This busy event had the assistance of volunteers from University of Botswana, Environmental Health Students, namely Godiraone Garesego, Masego Phefo, Theetso Mmolai and Botlhe Mokgalo, who were assigned to the Kidney Function Testing Roche Team. “We learnt so much today as we worked with the Roche team, commented Masego, “and we are very keen to keep helping out with Heart Foundation Botswana.”

One member of the public noted that she was very shocked to learn about how salt poisons the body, and can affect your kidneys.

Clover Botswana also volunteered and provided juices and water for all the staff and volunteers to keep things going, and Lynn’s Funeral Parlour lent us the magnificent tombstone, which made a statement that we hope will not be quickly forgotten. Pfizer contributed BP testing arm liners, which are now used to ensure proper hygiene during checks and special thanks to FireFox who provided the sound and music, backed up by JahWorks, who showed their skills on their drums, imitating what a steady heart beat should sound like.

  The other main team was from Botlhale English Medium Primary School, spearheading the Salt Pledge Campaign. The school headmistress, Mrs Kay Didimalang is an inspiration to us all, and showed that when school leadership is intent on getting their students to realize the dangers of eating wrong foods, they can achieve a lot.  The school is already motivated to start this change with their very own tuck shop.

 For this occasion, Heart Foundation Botswana initiated a campaign to incite people to Action, by getting them to Pledge to Reduce salt consumption over the next two months. The Botlhale students went out with determination and passion that only the young have, and signed up over 100 Pledges. Those who signed up, not add any additional salt to their food and watch their consumption over two months, and then come back to an event at Botlhale School, and see the difference.    They signed up over 100 Pledges.  We look forward to the follow up event, where Botlhale will host Heart Foundation Botswana with a great event.

 Many will be surprised how a few small changes can change a person’s whole outlook and most importantly improve one’s health. You too can still sign up for the Pledge. Log onto www.hfb.org.bw and download the form. Print it, sign it and scan it, then send to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We will then add you to the list and invite you to come back and tell us how it is going.

 High Blood should not be a Killer. It is manageable and stoppable. So what are we waiting for!

Let’s stop these Killers in their tracks. Protect yourself. Protect your family.