Hypertension Screening

Why Hypertension Matters

Hypertension is a growing crisis in Uganda and across Africa.
By 2030, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension will cause 61% of all deaths.
In Mukono District, many villagers are living with undiagnosed or untreated hypertension.
Fewer than 8% of Ugandans have received proper education on prevention or treatment.

VHT Quarterly Trainings

Practical sessions on diet, stress, alcohol use, and goal setting
Hands-on training in blood pressure screening
Tools like the CAGE questionnaire for alcohol misuse
SMART goal-setting for lifestyle changes

Community Screenings

Mpatta & Kavule (2018):
- 131 villagers screened in 2 days
- Over 70% found hypertensive, at risk, or in crisis
Screenings now integrated into home visits and village events
Immediate referrals for those in hypertensive crisis

Referral & Follow-Up

VHTs connect at-risk individuals to local Health Centers or Butabika Hospital for advanced care.
Continuous monitoring ensures long-term prevention and management.

Outcomes & Achievements

90% of VHTs retained BP screening skills post-training
VHTs successfully applying primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions
Community-led solutions emerging, like:
- Nutrition gardens to improve food access
- Stress-reduction events (music, dance, community nights)

Next Steps

Omni Med is working to:

Provide blood pressure cuffs for all 1,200 VHTs
Expand nutrition and financial literacy training
Strengthen mental health integration with stress and alcohol interventions
Partner with universities, NGOs, and the Ugandan Ministry of Health for sustainable impact

Get Involved

Community health is a collective effort — and Omni Med’s Hypertension Program has thrived thanks to the support of students, universities, and global health partners. Together, we are building a model of community-driven care that saves lives.

Partner With Us

Hypertension at Omni Med has welcomed partnership with George Washington University School of Nursing – providing blood pressure cuffs and VHT training support.

We are always open to collaborating with medical schools, nursing schools, public health programs, and student groups who want to make a measurable impact in global health.