The federal government of Nigeria has launched eight national policy documents, majority of which are focused on addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), in an effort to lessen the health risks connected with heart attacks, high blood pressure, and other conditions that are highly detrimental to public health. During the launch of the set of pivotal national policy documents in Abuja, the Honorable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, stated that noncommunicable diseases caused 447,800 deaths annually, or 27% of all deaths in the nation. He highlighted the need for prompt actions given that many of these deaths—which happen to people between the ages of 30 and 70—are preventable.
Leading causes of deaths related to NCDs are cardiovascular diseases, which account for 11% of all deaths; cancers cause 4% of deaths; Diabetes accounts for approximately 3% of deaths; and chronic respiratory diseases, which include conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), account for 2% of all deaths. According to BMC Public Health, Nigeria is experiencing an epidemiological shift with an increasing NCD burden, similar to other Sub-Saharan Africa nations. It was emphasized that ₦384.4 billion (US$1.26 billion) was spent on NCDs in 2017 according to the most recent version of Nigeria’s National Health Accounts accessible.
WHO reassured its commitment to work with the federal govt.
Non-communicable diseases remain a serious health issue that require prompt, all-encompassing response to protect public health. Nigeria’s rates of morbidity and death are greatly impacted by the increase of non-communicable diseases. This increasing trend can be attributed to inadequacies in the healthcare system, environmental issues, and larger lifestyle changes. According to a 2023 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), the age-standardized death rate for the four main NCDs (diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and cardiovascular disease) was 546 per 100,000 for women and 565 per 100,000 for men in 2021.
As per the report, Nigeria has made progress toward the NCD progress indicators in a number of areas, such as the NCD policy and plan, Tobacco taxes, tobacco advertising prohibitions, tobacco health warnings, and alcohol prices. Nevertheless, only a small portion of the indicators have seen significant advancements. These include marketing to children, media campaigns, salt and trans fat policies, tobacco smoke-free/pollution-free legislation, and physical activity awareness. In an effort to lessen the number of people who die from cardiovascular diseases and other linked illnesses, WHO reassured its commitment to work with the federal government to launch nationwide awareness campaigns.
These documents are tools to effect transformation.
The Coordinating Minister, who was represented by Daju Kachollom S. mni, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, said that the event demonstrated a common shared determination to address one of the biggest Public Health concerns of our day. Documents that were launched at the event include National Policy for the Prevention and Control of NCDs; National NCD Task-shifting and Task-sharing (NTSTS) Policy for use at the Primary Health care (PHC) level; National Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Hypertension in Nigeria 2023; the Newsletter for People Living with NCDs (PLWNCDs) and National Tobacco Control Communication Strategy, 2024–2028;
Others include the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette – Fats, Oil & Food containing fats and oils Regulations 2022, the National Tobacco Control Enforcement Plan, 2024–2028, and National Tobacco Control Strategic Plan of Action, 2024–2028. According to him, these documents are tools to effect transformation that will influence healthcare practices and laws for many years to come, not merely guidelines. Through the provision of evidence-based recommendations and promoting an excellence and accountability culture, the government is enabling healthcare practitioners to provide better care and communities to take proactive measures toward healthier lifestyles.
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Pate reaffirmed his steadfast dedication to enhancing health conditions for all Nigerians in keeping with the President’s vision and his Renewed Hope Agenda on health, which focuses on health and well-being. The Minister further disclosed that the government is expanding the Infrastructure for Cancer diagnosis and treatment in six Federal Teaching Hospitals, training 120,000 frontline healthcare workers to provide them with the most up-to-date knowledge and skills to meet changing healthcare needs, improving health Insurance coverage, and assisting regional producers of necessary medications.