As the world marks World Pulmonary Hypertension Day, advocates are calling for early diagnosis, improved care and greater access to clinical trials for a life-threatening but often overlooked condition. Every year on May 5, organisations and patient groups around the world observe World Pulmonary Hypertension Day, a global effort to raise awareness about pulmonary hypertension (PH), a condition that remains widely underdiagnosed and frequently misdiagnosed.
Advocacy for Better Diagnosis and Care
Founder of the Cardiac Community Advocacy and Support Initiative, Ayotunde Omitogun, stated that as Nigeria’s first dedicated organisation focused on pulmonary hypertension awareness, the initiative is proud to join the global PH community in marking World Pulmonary Hypertension Day 2026. She emphasised that its mission is to ensure that no patient walks the journey without support, information, or hope. Beyond awareness, the group is also advocating for better diagnosis, improved access to care, and a reduction in the wide gap that exists in PH care in Nigeria. She noted that people living with PH in Nigeria deserve better care and that more must be done to make that a reality.
Understanding Pulmonary Hypertension
According to Omitogun, pulmonary hypertension is a form of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart. Unlike the more common type of blood pressure measured with a cuff, PH places strain on the heart as it works harder to pump blood through narrowed or damaged blood vessels in the lungs. If left untreated, it could lead to heart failure and death. She noted that while pulmonary hypertension has no cure, it can be managed to improve patient outcomes. Unfortunately, the medications remain largely inaccessible in Nigeria.
Despite its severity, awareness remains low, and many patients experience long delays before receiving an accurate diagnosis. These delays often worsen outcomes. Omitogun explained that World PH Day was first observed in 2012 and is now marked globally to address these gaps by promoting awareness, encouraging early diagnosis, and advocating for better access to care and treatment.
Theme for 2026: Hope in Every Trial
The theme for 2026, “Hope in Every Trial,” draws attention to the role of clinical trials in improving care for people living with pulmonary hypertension. Clinical trials help researchers better understand the disease, evaluate new therapies, and improve patient outcomes. They also provide patients with an opportunity to contribute to medical progress that may benefit others in the future. However, access to clinical trials remains limited in Africa. Increasing awareness, addressing misconceptions, and expanding access to these trials are critical steps toward improving PH care globally.
In Nigeria, pulmonary hypertension continues to be under-recognised, with many patients navigating the healthcare system for years without a clear diagnosis. The Cardiac Community Advocacy and Support Initiative is working to change this narrative through awareness campaigns, patient support, and advocacy for improved care.
