Speaker: Jeffery Montapina
Title: Chancellor Officer, SayPro
Date: 17 May 2025
Location: Midrand, South Africa
[Opening – Greeting and Reflection]
Good morning, esteemed guests, colleagues, healthcare professionals, partners, and community leaders.
It is with great pride and profound purpose that I welcome you today on behalf of SayPro, as we gather to observe World Hypertension Day 2025. This annual commemoration is not simply a date on the calendar — it is a collective affirmation of our shared commitment to the right to health, the value of awareness, and the power of prevention.
This year’s theme, “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer,” speaks to both the science and soul of public health. It is a reminder that knowledge saves lives — and that systemic action sustains them.
[The Role of Institutions in Public Health Leadership]
As SayPro’s Chancellor Officer, I am honoured to represent an institution committed not just to delivery, but to legacy — to building a health and development ecosystem that will serve generations to come.
In the context of hypertension — often called the “silent killer” — this role becomes especially important. It is our responsibility, at the institutional level, to:
- Advocate for strategic investment in prevention-based health models;
- Strengthen multi-sectoral partnerships that address the social determinants of health;
- And embed public health education and access as a permanent pillar of national and continental development.
Institutions like SayPro are not just implementers. We are architects of change — and we must design systems that ensure no one is left behind due to lack of access, awareness, or agency.
[SayPro’s Commitment to Long-Term Health Equity]
Over the years, SayPro has worked across Africa to promote youth empowerment, skills development, and inclusive education. Today, we continue that mission through the lens of health equity.
Hypertension is a global crisis, but it is felt most deeply in underserved communities — where access to basic screening is limited, and the cost of chronic disease management is overwhelming.
SayPro has responded by:
- Scaling outreach campaigns that provide free and accessible blood pressure screening;
- Developing digital education platforms to equip communities with knowledge;
- Investing in local leadership and healthcare worker training to strengthen long-term capacity.
But we know this is just the beginning. Sustained change requires institutional courage and cross-sector leadership.
[Call to Action – From Commitment to Continuity]
Today, I call upon our fellow institutions — from government bodies and academic institutions to the private sector and civil society — to rise to this moment.
Let us not see hypertension only as a health issue. Let us address it as a governance issue, a justice issue, and a development priority.
- If you are in a position of leadership — prioritise prevention in your policies and planning.
- If you influence education — integrate health literacy into your curriculum.
- If you hold resources — invest in lives, not just infrastructure.
- And if you represent the community — become an advocate, because every voice matters.
Together, we can build a legacy that is measured not just in numbers, but in lives saved and futures protected.
[Closing – A Legacy Worth Building]
On this World Hypertension Day 2025, let us recommit to a future where no one suffers or dies from a preventable condition.
Let us envision a continent where measuring blood pressure is as routine as learning to read — and where living longer is not a privilege, but a possibility for all.
As Chancellor Officer of SayPro, I affirm our institution’s continued dedication to justice, equity, and lasting public health transformation.
Let us lead boldly, act wisely, and build a future where every heartbeat counts.
Thank you, and Happy World Hypertension Day 2025.
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