Closed the "We help the people of Ópályi!" SZÍVSN campaign

Closed the “We help the people of Ópályi!” SZÍVSN campaign

2025. January 11.

In December 2024 cloesed the

, which aimed to improve the cardiovascular health of people living in extreme poverty in Northern Hungary. With government support, we carried out a comprehensive screening of 241 local residents, opening a new era of health awareness in the region.

The four pillars of our patient organisation – education, organising screenings, developing a lending network and putting 13 years of intellectual capital into practice through a network of coordinators – were combined in this programme that went beyond the usual framework. The aim was not only to screen, but also to step out of our own comfort zone and highlight the health literacy of the population in the region and to initiate long-term, positive change. We believe that our help will not go untold.

The screenings included blood glucose, cholesterol, weight, abdominal circumference and blood pressure measurements, as well as the use of an ECG machine. Five dedicated volunteers helped to make sure everything went smoothly and the local Telehaus hosted the event. Patients presented the results to their GPs for further treatment.

The results of the screening were shocking: 159 women were diagnosed with high blood pressure in 32%, high sugar levels in 33%, overweight in 19%, high cholesterol in 30% and arrhythmia in 9%. The results for 82 men were not much better: 55% had high blood pressure, , 20% had high sugar levels, 44% were overweight, 22% had high cholesterol levels and 7% had arrhythmia.

In Szolnok, we held a CPR training session and Anna Pesthy, the reproductive health officer of the Budapest Medical Students Association, gave a fascinating lecture on contraception.

This campaign may be just a small step towards solving a huge problem, but we would like to believe that a positive process has started in Ópályi, which will improve health in the long term. The ECG machines, blood glucose and cholesterol monitors, and blood pressure monitors purchased and donated under the government’s tender will go a long way in helping the local population with cardiovascular screening and health promotion.