Health Minister Ameen Tahraoui revealed that the number of individuals with high blood pressure in Morocco, who were cared for and monitored at primary healthcare institutions (ESSP), reached a total of 1,203,782 last year (2024).
Tahraoui stated in a circular directed to regional directors and ministry delegates on the occasion of World Hypertension Day, celebrated each year on May 17, that this figure represents only 26 percent of the estimated number of people with high blood pressure who visit these institutions. The national program aims to cover at least 70 percent of this demographic by 2030.
The government official overseeing the health sector continued: “Morocco is not exempt from this global reality of the disease, as the results of the national survey ‘STEPS’ from 2018 on non-communicable disease risk factors indicated that high blood pressure is a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, with a prevalence rate of 29.3 percent among adults aged 18 and older; this percentage significantly rises with age, reaching 69.3 percent among those aged 70 and over.”
Tahraoui noted that more than a third of adults have never had their blood pressure measured, with this figure particularly high among men (52 percent) and in rural areas (43.5 percent).
The Minister of Health and Social Protection emphasized the importance of utilizing this global day to conduct early detection activities and manage high blood pressure, as well as to encourage individuals, families, communities, and governments to take collective action to reduce the burden of morbidity, disability, and mortality associated with this disease.
