Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), in partnership with Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH), has completed its first participation in the global May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign, reaching hundreds of people through blood pressure screening, education, and awareness activities aimed at tackling hypertension in local communities.
May Measurement Month is an international initiative led by the International Society of Hypertension to raise awareness of high blood pressure and improve access to screening worldwide. Since its launch in 2017, the campaign has become one of the largest public health awareness programmes globally, helping to identify undiagnosed cases of hypertension and encouraging early intervention to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney failure.
Throughout May 2026, SMU’s Department of Physiology and DGMAH’s Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care coordinated a series of screening and awareness activities across the university campus and the surrounding Ga-Rankuwa community. A total of 365 individuals, including students, staff, patients, and community members, participated in the initiative.
Screening activities were hosted at key locations on the SMU campus, including the Student Cafeteria Lawn and Library Lawn, while additional outreach took place at the DGMAH Hospital Clinic in support of World Hypertension Day. Participants received blood pressure assessments and educational information on hypertension risk factors, prevention, treatment adherence, and the importance of routine monitoring.
Dr Marilet van Hoogland-van Heerden, Co-Investigator and Site Coordinator from the Department of Physiology, said the campaign demonstrated the value of early detection and community engagement in addressing non-communicable diseases.
“Hypertension is often called the silent killer because many people are unaware that they have it until serious complications develop. Through this campaign, we were able to provide screening, education and practical health information to individuals who may otherwise not have had access to these services,” she said.
The initiative also highlighted the major lifestyle-related risk factors associated with hypertension in South Africa, including poor nutrition, physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. By focusing on prevention and awareness, the campaign aimed to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health.
A dedicated team of postgraduate student volunteers and staff from the Department of Physiology played a central role in the campaign’s success. Their participation not only strengthened community outreach efforts but also provided valuable experiential learning opportunities aligned with SMU’s commitment to socially responsive education.
In addition to the screening programme, SMU hosted an online lunch-hour awareness session for staff on 27 May 2026. The event featured presentations by Dr Siluleko Mkhize on hypertension awareness, Dr Tsakani Rasakanya on treatment and management, and Sithabile Mathunjwa on dietary and lifestyle modifications.
Dr van Hoogland-van Heerden noted that collaboration was key to the initiative’s impact. “The support of our postgraduate students, university staff, DGMAH nursing personnel and community participants made this campaign possible. Their commitment reflects a shared responsibility to improve public health and promote healthier communities,” she said.
The success of MMM 2026 reinforces SMU’s growing role in advancing health promotion, community engagement, and preventative healthcare. As a leading health sciences university, SMU continues to contribute to national and global efforts to address non-communicable diseases while strengthening the link between education, research, and improved health outcomes for the communities it serves.
By Tumelo Moila
