Wednesday 29th September is celebrated globally as World Heart Day. This is a global campaign during which individuals, families, communities, and governments around the world participate in activities to take charge of their heart health and that of others.
This year’s World Heart Day themed: Use Heart to Connect, aims to encourage people around the world to use their knowledge, compassion and influence to make sure they, their loved ones and the communities have the best chance to live heart-healthy lives. It’s about leveraging the power of digital health to connect with our own hearts, making sure we’re fueling and nurturing them as best we can.
According to a data by the World Health Organisation, Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in the world, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. In May 2012, World leaders made a commitment to reducing global mortality from non-communicable diseases by 25% in 2025. Cardiovascular diseases are accountable for nearly half of all deaths from non-communicable diseases, making it the number one killer. CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. More than four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, and one third of these deaths occur prematurely in people under 70 years of age.
The most important behavioural risk factors of heart disease and stroke are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol. The effects of behavioural risk factors may show up in individuals as raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, raised blood lipids, and overweight and obesity. These “intermediate risks factors” can be measured in primary care facilities and indicate an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other complications.Over three quarters of CVD deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries.
In line with the above, Quest Oil Group, an indigenous energy provider has taken a major step in the fight against cardiovascular diseases and other related ailments. As part of events to commemorate this year’s World Heart Day, the company, in collaboration with Goke Dele Foundation, Neimeth Pharmaceuticals and Clearline HMO, recently embarked on activities to draw attention to issues affecting the heart.
COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people globally. But more importantly it has shown us the power of digital health in improving awareness, prevention and management of diseases such as CVD globally said Dr. Ochuwa George, the General Manager, Business Operations.
Dr. Ochuwa said this during a Walk organised by Quest Oil Group in partnership with Goke Dele Foundation, Neimeth and Clearline HMO which held on Wednesday September 29 in commemoration of the World Heart Day. The Walk which was themed: Walk for a Healthier Heart also featured lectures by medical experts, free medical checks as well as distribution of gift items.The Walk commenced from Quest mega service station located along Admiralty Way, Lekki phase 1 and terminated at Freedom Way junction. Participants during the Walk include persons such as the senior management team led by the Chief Executive Officer, staff, representatives from Neimeth, Clearline HMO, investors, members of the Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) and others.
According to the Corporate Communications & Branding Manager, Gerald Moore, as a responsible brand, issues regarding the health of clients and stakeholders are critical to achieving our Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) goals.
“I believe that we owe it as a duty to sensitize and educate the public, particularly those directly or indirectly affected by what we do as an organization, about the importance of taking care of their heart, the risks of negligence and how to reduce mortality arising from heart related ailments. A good way to demonstrate our commitment to this course is what we have just done. Quest is a liberal brand and our social interventions are centered around improvement of life and sustainable development. The theme of this year’s edition: use heart to connect, is in consonant with our goal of bridging the information gap in our public health system leveraging the power of digital health” he said.
He further said ESG is important for us, specifically as momentum continues to build to promote renewable energy, sustainability and the energy transition as investors, governments and individuals remain focused on issues such as climate change, diversity and corporate governance.
Speaking at the event, a representative of Neimeth pharmaceuticals and one of the partners, Mr. Samuel Oni, thanked Quest Oil Group for the initiative and encouraged the management of Quest to sustain the drive by exploring similar outreaches in other localities in the state.