About MMM Campaign
May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global campaign run by the International Hypertension Society with the help of international volunteers to create awareness on the need for blood pressure check-up. This year’s theme called on everyone to Measure their Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It and Live Longer, focusing on combatting low awareness rates worldwide, especially in low to middle income areas, and accurate blood pressure measurement methods. ISH works with local organization to coordinate this global campaign which attracts over 80 countries. In Kenya, ISH partners with Kenya Cardiac Society to conduct this campaign.
High blood pressure (hypertension) kills more people than any other condition. According to a Global Burden of Disease Study from 2017, approximately 10 million people die from hypertension each year, more than from all infectious diseases combined. Hypertension is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it may show no symptoms and puts one at an increased risk for heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, among other things.
During the May Measurement Month Campaign, everyone is called up to have their blood pressure measured. It is important to measure blood pressure so that one can seek treatment early enough before it becomes life-threatening. By doing so, many live can be saved.
My Coordinating Role
During this year’s campaign, I must confess how proud I am to have joined NCDs advocates across the world not only in screening people but also in playing a leading role in the campaign. I have been privileged to coordinate the MMM campaign on behalf of Kenya Cardiac Society and its partners. Working with a team drawn from my organization (Stowelink) and Kenya Cardiac Society, I have gained invaluable experience in leading multi-disciplinary team and coordinating such a massive campaign. What is more, it gives me a profound sense of satisfaction seeing my contribution in this noble initiative. Having lost my mother to pre-eclampsia, a medical condition associated with high blood pressure during pregnancy, I feel obligated to advocate for blood pressure screening. With the MMM 2022 coming to an end, I call upon everyone to continue with regular blood pressure screening. ROLL YOUR SLEEVES AND SAVE LIVES. YOUR OWN!
ODUOR KEVIN 