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Tag: NCDs

  • Advocates urge awareness, preventive drive as NCDs threaten Nigerian households

    Advocates urge awareness, preventive drive as NCDs threaten Nigerian households

    Governments at national and subnational levels, development partners, and public health stakeholders have been urged to prioritise early screening and preventive care over costly late-stage treatment, as non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly hypertension-induced kidney failure, continue to quietly devastate Nigerian households.

    The advocates said the call has become urgent, with many Nigerians unaware of their health risks and women in informal markets especially vulnerable due to limited time, resources, and access to care.

    Speaking at a national roundtable on NCDs in Abuja on Monday, the Founder of The Kings Daughter Foundation, Ajobo Mary Oluwaseun, stressed the need to shift from reactive treatment to preventive measures, warning that widespread ignorance, poor screening culture, and reliance on unregulated herbal remedies are deepening the crisis.

    “Cost is often cited as a barrier, but targeted prevention is cheaper than dialysis. A few minutes with a cuff and a counselling sheet can avert years of catastrophic spending for families who live day-to-day.

    “Feeling ‘fine’ is not proof of being healthy, and ‘natural’ is not the same as safe,” Oluwaseun said.

    Oluwaseun, who is a renal dialysis nurse, urged policymakers to invest in primary-level screening, integrate NCD checks into maternal and child health programs, and deploy mobile clinics to underserved areas.

    Market-based outreach staffed by nurses and community health workers, she said, could deliver quick wins with on-the-spot blood pressure and glucose checks, early referrals, and multilingual health education materials.

    Oluwaseun’s advocacy stems from frontline experience while recalling a mother’s shock at a dialysis clinic as her adult daughter, who had never smoked or drank alcohol, battled kidney failure caused by undiagnosed hypertension.

    “Her condition had been silently destroying her kidneys since her teenage years. It reflects a system that reacts late rather than prevents early,” Oluwaseun said.

    According to her, a similar pattern emerged during a screening exercise at Bodija Market, Ibadan, where out of 25 women tested, nine had dangerously high blood pressure but were unaware of their risk.

    “Some dismissed the checks outright, prioritising their daily trade over health concerns”, she lamented.

    The findings, Oluwaseun warned, underscored how NCDs often progress unnoticed among women who are central to household care but lack time, access, or resources for routine medical checks.

    Reliance on traditional herbal remedies, often consumed without dosage guidance, further threatens kidney health, she explained.

    While social media campaigns have raised awareness, Oluwaseun cautioned that many women in informal markets are excluded from online advocacy.

    Read Also: NGO urges FG to review NCDs policies, empowers 400 sickle cell patients

    “If advocacy remains digital-only, we risk widening the health gap. What is required are community-based interventions that meet women where they live and work, not where we hope they’d be.

    “When the body speaks too late, the costs are crushing. The way forward is to listen earlier, at market stalls, clinic doorways, and every space where women carry the weight of their families, so that preventable diseases are caught before lives are put on hold,” she added.

    On her part, Fatima Gidado, the Founder of MedForHer, pointed out that kidney disease is part of a larger NCD crisis alongside hypertension, diabetes, and sickle cell that silently steals women’s health in their most productive years.

    “This is a major reason why we focus on bringing health education and screening directly to women in schools, markets, and underserved communities. We believe that no woman should suffer or die because she did not know.

    “The fight against kidney disease and NCDs cannot be waged in silos. Nurses, advocates, NGOs, and policymakers must collaborate to put prevention at the centre of women’s health. Only then can we change the story from late detection to early protection.

    “No woman should lose her life to what she never knew,” Gidado added. 

  • Experts sound alarm over rising NCDs, call for urgent action

    Experts sound alarm over rising NCDs, call for urgent action

    Nigeria is on the brink of a public health crisis as Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) continue to surge—fuelled by poor urban diets, sedentary living, and inadequate health systems. Health experts warn that without immediate and coordinated intervention across sectors, the nation risks a long-term epidemic that could overwhelm its already fragile healthcare infrastructure.

    This was the resounding message at a recent capacity-building workshop with the  theme: “Rethinking the NCD Crisis: A Holistic Approach to the Debate in Nigeria,” hosted in Lagos by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN). The event brought together experts who raised alarm over Nigeria’s escalating NCDs burden—warning that the country faces a looming public health disaster if systemic action is not taken.

    Dr. Ajibola Arewa, Associate Professor at Lagos State University, described the surge in NCDs such as diabetes, cancer, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases as a “multi-dimensional emergency” that demands a coordinated, multi-sectoral response. He cited World Health Organisation (WHO) data showing that NCDs were responsible for 24 per cent of all deaths in Nigeria in 2011—a figure that jumped to 29 per cent by 2021, marking a 21per cent increase in just a decade. “It’s not just about sugar-sweetened beverages. This crisis is deeply rooted in behavioural patterns, environmental neglect, under-resourced health systems, and policy gaps. Singling out sugar oversimplifies the problem. We must also confront alcohol abuse, poor diets, and the sedentary lifestyles that are fuelling this epidemic,” Dr. Arewa emphasised.

    While policies like the N10-per-litre sugar tax have gained momentum, experts insist they fall short without a more comprehensive strategy—one that encompasses alcohol regulation, widespread nutrition education, and expanded access to primary healthcare at the community level. Public health advocate Dr. Godswill Iboma stressed that although NCDs are not infectious, they result from prolonged exposure to behavioural, metabolic and environmental risk factors. “You might eat healthy and exercise regularly, but if you’re drinking contaminated water or breathing toxic air, your health remains at risk,” he cautioned. Dr. Iboma further noted that deforestation, erratic climate patterns, and poor sanitation are intensifying the NCD burden, particularly in Nigeria’s underserved rural areas.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu inaugurates network of roads, hospital in Badagry

    Health consultant Dr. Yvonne Olaloku underscored the urgent need for systemic reform, drawing attention to the alarmingly low health insurance coverage in Nigeria—currently less than five per cent of the population. She emphasised that strengthening national data systems such as the National Health Management Information System (NHMIS) and the District Health Information System (DHIS) is critical, especially in capturing private sector contributions that often go unreported. “You can’t solve what you can’t see,” Dr. Olaloku asserted. “Without accurate, inclusive data, we risk misallocating resources and addressing the wrong problems. What we need are transparent systems that turn policies into measurable progress.”

    Beyond data, she advocated for a multifaceted approach to tackling the NCD crisis. While fiscal policies such as sugar and tobacco taxes may help curb harmful consumption, she warned that such tools must be integrated into broader efforts that include sustained behavioral change campaigns, grassroots community engagement, and substantial investments in health infrastructure. Dr. Olaloku’s remarks reinforced a recurring theme at the workshop: that addressing Nigeria’s NCD burden requires more than piecemeal fixes—it demands a coordinated, evidence-based strategy that engages all levels of society.

    BJAN President Daniel Obi underscored the pivotal role of the media in dispelling misinformation and championing public health, urging journalists to serve as credible voices in an era of growing health disinformation. “NCDs are no longer future threats—they’re current realities,” he said, underscoring the urgency for a united national response. He called on journalists to go beyond routine reporting and embrace roles as educators, advocates, and watchdogs—committed to sharing science-backed narratives that demand action from policymakers and inspire communities to take health seriously.

    Echoing this sentiment, Vivian Ihechu, President of the Health Writers Association of Nigeria, urged media professionals to model the behaviours they champion. According to her, journalists must lead by example in adopting healthy lifestyles and use their influence to shift public attitudes toward preventive healthcare, which remains underappreciated in many Nigerian communities. “As journalists, we must be mindful of what we eat, find time to exercise, and ensure we are sharing credible, actionable health information,” she said.

    As the workshop wrapped up, a consensus emerged among participants: tackling Nigeria’s NCD crisis demands urgent, unified action on multiple fronts. Participants stressed that merely having policies on paper is not enough—what’s needed is robust enforcement backed by strong accountability systems to ensure those policies translate into real-world impact. According to the communiqué released after the event, transforming Nigeria’s food landscape is as urgent as ever. With ultra-processed products saturating markets and reshaping urban diets, there is an urgent need to shift back to nutrient-rich, wholesome foods. This, experts agreed, is no longer a lifestyle choice but a public health necessity.

  • FG launches policies to combat hypertension, sickle cell, mental health disorder, other NCDs

    FG launches policies to combat hypertension, sickle cell, mental health disorder, other NCDs

    In furtherance of its commitment to improving public health, the federal government has unveiled a series of national policy documents aimed at tackling the growing threat of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria.

    The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the policies mark a decisive move in the fight against diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, cancers, diabetes, chronic respiratory ailments, sickle cell disease, and mental health disorders, which collectively account for nearly 447,800 deaths annually in the country.

    Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, August 22, while launching the policy documents at a ceremony themed ‘Revitalising NCDs Prevention and Control in Nigeria: Strengthening Multisectoral Collaboration’, Pate noted that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the government has displayed its commitment to the health and well-being of Nigerians, aligning its efforts with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which focuses on Good Health and Well-being.

    The launched policies include the National Policy for the Prevention and Control of NCDs, the National NCD Task-Shifting and Task-Sharing (NTSTS) Policy, and the National Guideline for the Prevention and Management of Hypertension.

    Additionally, the government launched the National Tobacco Control Strategic Plan of Action (2024-2028), a newsletter for People Living with NCDs (PLWNCDs), and the Official Gazette on Fats, Oils, and Food Containing Fats & Oils Regulations 2022.

    According to him, with records revealing that NCDs are responsible for 27% of all annual deaths in Nigeria, it has become imperative for the government and its stakeholders to urgently adopt a holistic approach to addressing the issue.

    Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kacholllom, the Minister noted that many of the fatalities occur prematurely, between the ages of 30 and 70, underscoring the critical importance of the government’s intervention.

    Read Also: Fed Govt pledges to combat NCDs, HIV

    He said: “The launch of these publications is a crucial step in our nation’s journey towards a healthier future. These documents are not just guidelines; they are instruments of change that will shape our healthcare practices and policies for years to come.

    “Globally, countries that have implemented comprehensive NCD strategies have seen remarkable improvements in public health outcomes.

    “For example, Finland’s successful North Karelia Project in the 1970s, which focused on reducing cardiovascular disease through community-based interventions, led to a 70% reduction in coronary heart disease mortality over 25 years.

    “Closer to home, South Africa’s national salt reduction program has significantly lowered the population’s salt intake, contributing to a reduction in hypertension prevalence.

    “In Nigeria, these publications are aligned with our broader goals under the NHSRII and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “By providing clear, evidence-based guidelines and fostering a culture of accountability and excellence, we are empowering our healthcare providers to deliver better care and our communities to take proactive steps towards healthier lifestyles.

    “In addition, we are expanding cancer diagnosis and treatment infrastructure in six Federal teaching hospitals, further bolstering our capacity to combat NCDs.

    “The retraining of 120,000 frontline health workers is also underway, equipping them with the latest skills and knowledge to meet evolving healthcare needs.

    “The federal government remains committed to expanding access to quality NCD services, enhancing health insurance coverage, and supporting local manufacturing of essential medicines.

    “We will continue to prioritize the effective implementation of these policies, ensuring that our efforts translate into tangible improvements in the health and well-being of all Nigerians.

  • WHO launches global campaign to promote physical activity

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a global campaign to promote physical activity among adolescents and adults as a strategy aimed at preventing and treating Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs).

    Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the organisation, while launching the programme on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the organisation would support countries’ efforts to ensure the success of the campaign.

    Ghebreyesus said the overall implementation of the “Global Action Plan on Physical Activity and Health 2018 to 2030’’ earlier launched was also critical.

    “We need leaders at all levels to help people to take the healthier step. This works best at city level, where most responsibility lies for creating healthier spaces.

    “Worldwide, one in five adults and four out of five adolescents aged 11 to 17 years do not do enough physical activity.

    “Girls, women, older adults, poor people, people with disabilities and chronic diseases, marginalised populations and indigenous people have fewer opportunities to be active.

    “When the recommended policies in the WHO Global Action Plan are adopted by countries, more active societies and opportunities for people of all ages and abilities will be created.

    “It would create the right ambience for people to do more walking, cycling, sport, active recreation, dance and play.

    “You do not need to be a professional athlete to choose to be active. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator makes a difference or walking.

    “Also, riding a bike instead of driving to your neighborhood bakery is recommended. It is the choices we make each time and every day that can keep us healthy,’’ he said.

    We reports that the campaign tagged “Let’s Be Active: Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday” encourages governments and authorities to make it easier for people to be more physically active in order to be healthier.

    The Global Action Plan is designed to bring global attention to the critical need for all to remain active in order to stay healthy.

    According to WHO, regular physical activity plays a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, breast and colon cancer.

    WHO estimates that NCDs are responsible for 71 per cent of all deaths globally, including the death of 15 million people per year aged 30 to 70 years.

    The action plan recognised that in the modern world, staying active was becoming more of a challenge as cities and communities were not built or designed in the right way.

    It showed how countries could reduce physical inactivity in adults and adolescents by 15 per cent by 2030.

    WHO has recommended 20 policies, which when adopted by countries, would create more active environments.

    The thrust of the 20-point policy calls for support in the training of healthcare workers and other professionals, stronger data systems as well as the use of digital technologies.

    The organisation said physical inactivity was more than a health challenge as it had enormous financial implications for countries.

    WHO estimates that globally, physical inactivity costs countries about 54 billion dollars in direct health care of which 57 per cent is incurred by the public sector.

    The organisation further said that an additional 14 billion dollars was attributable to lost productivity.

    However, the third UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on NCDs fixed for Sept. 27, 2018 in New York, is expected to address issues around physical inactivity and other causes of NCDs and mental disorders.

  • Stem cell therapy good for infertility, NCDs

    Stem cell therapy good for infertility, NCDs

    Adult Stem Cell Therapy is new in Nigeria. David Ikudayisi of Glory Wellness and Regenerative Centre, Lagos, says it has many benefits. In this interview with OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA, the medic urges Nigerians suffering from non-communicable diseases and infertility to go for the therapy.

    It is believed that Stem Cell Therapy involves the use of embryos, hence, peoples’ reluctance to accept it. Is this true?

    There are two main types of stem cells – embryonic stem (ES) and adult stem cells. The former involves the use of embryos as source of cells while the latter involves the use of cells harvested from an individual or adult. Others, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), are produced in the laboratory by reprogramming adult cells to express embryonic stem cells characteristics. The type of stem cell therapy that we are talking about here is the adult stem cell therapy, and this uses a patient’s own body fat or bone marrow as the source of stem cells, unlike the controversial embryonic stem cell therapy. Regenerative medicine aims to restore normal function by repairing or replacing damaged or malfunctioning cells and tissues in patients who have lost tissue or organ function due to age, disease or congenital defects. With PRP therapy, the growth factors in the blood activate the healing process at a faster rate. And with adult stem cell therapy, the stem cells in adult fat/bone marrow can differentiate into any tissue where they find themselves. Adult stem cell therapy is new in the country but the Nigerian doctors are aware of the use of bone marrow transplant for blood disease called leukemia. In the past, PRP therapy has been used in at least one of our teaching hospitals in Lagos; some doctors are now using the therapy. PRP therapy is very popular among orthopaedic doctors in Nigeria, but there are still drawbacks due to the cost and logistics for the state- of-the-art technology, and affordability by patients. Meanwhile, adult stem cell therapy is new in Nigeria, but not in Europe, United States or India.

    You mean Stem Cell Therapy can  treat many ailments?

    The benefits of adult stem cell therapy are enormous, and there is much more to be discovered. The basic way to understand who will benefit is simply knowing that if there is need to repair and/regenerate any part of the human tissue/organ, then adult stem cell therapy with/without PRP therapy may be an option. An exception is the treatment of cancer. Adult stem cell therapy can be used for shrink prostate and brain cancer the same day the stem cells are harvested from the patient, but not for the rest of the cancers without first doing tissue engineering of the stem cells in the research laboratories. Another exception is sickle cell anaemia treatment, which requires stem cells transplant from another person unlike adult stem cell therapy because in adult stem cell therapy, the stem cells are taken from the same patient that will be the recipient of the stem cells and all this is done the same and in the presence of the patient.

    For some of the common treatable ailments, they are in two categories: Local and systemic applications. Under applications, you have ailments, such as multiple joint pain, back pain, meniscal tears, ligament tears, avascular necrosis of the hip joints, facet arthropathy, plantar fasciitis, post-surgical hip pain, chronic non-healing wounds, dental procedures, hair thinning, erectile dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction, female urinary incontinence and cosmetic/aesthetic applications (vampire facial, vampire facelift, vampire breast and nipple lift.

    The ailments treatable under systemic applications  include diabetes, hypertension, aging (generalised treatment), fatigue, fibromyalgia, chronic kidney disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, congestive heart failure, heart attack (myocardial infarction), stroke, brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease, autism, spinal cord injury, leukemia, COPD (lung disease), Crohn’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and infertility, etc. As for the infertility treatment, it increases the chances of becoming fertile and/or the success rate of Invitro Fertilisation (IVF).

    But the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has its regulation on Stem Cell Therapy.

    MDCN regulates all practices of medicine in Nigeria. Although adult stem cell therapy may be new, PRP therapy is not new as it is common among doctors in Nigeria. Embryonic stem cell is not being practiced in Nigeria to the best of my knowledge, and that is not what we are currently talking about anyway. Also, I am not aware of any research going on or being conducted by the Nigerian government or a hospital about induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) therapy.

     Are there side effects in this therapy?

    No.The stem cell treatment we are talking about is autologous, i.e. taken from the same patient that will be the recipient. Therefore, there is no risk of rejection of the transplant.  Let me also say that the PRP in Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy has antimicrobial properties.

    If the therapy has so many benefits, why are people not partronising it?

    Adult cell therapy is relatively new in Nigeria. Unfortunately, and unlike in the USA, most Nigerians do not believe in preventive medicine. They only go to doctors when it is almost too late or at the precarious stage of their conditions. I do not blame them because the main reason for delaying health care is the financial cost. I hope that, one day, we will get to that level of health care system that is available in developed countries. We are just trying to create awareness on regenerative medicine in Nigeria. Nigerians keep travelling to India to get some of the procedures done, including the ones involving adult stem cell therapy. It will be great if many of the Nigerian doctors in USA, U.K. and other advanced countries, who practise regenerative medicine, will consider bringing their practice and knowledge home for the larger population of Nigerians to also benefit. I am not asking them to do pro bono because I understand the cost implication of my request, but, at least, let us start from somewhere. Nigeria, too, can become a centre for medical tourism in Africa because of regenerative medicine. There is a future for Nigeria in the medical world. For example, open heart surgery was performed in 2015 at Babcock University, and there are some world- class Intensive Care Units in Nigeria that I am aware of.

    What edge does stem cell therapy has?

    Stem cell therapy is not for everyone. It can reverse the symptoms of some diseases; it aims at regenerating and/or repairing the damaged tissue in the body which conventional treatment does not do. There is limited life span for surgical and other procedures; there is a limitation for surgery for spinal problems. For example, not everyone with bad knee joint wants to go for knee surgery, if it is treatable by another means, especially if the patient prefers to use his  body to heal himself. Conventional treatment does not last as long as the effect of adult stem cell therapy or PRP therapy in conditions/ailments where regenerative medicine is applicable and effective. Intravenous application of Adult Adipose (Fat) Stem Cell Therapy is also good for Anti-Aging. Not everyone wants to take pain medication on daily basis if that can be avoided. There are situations where conventional medicine has no suitable answers. For example, no one time or single dose medication for hair thinning, no medication can regenerate kidney cells to prevent them from deteriorating, no medication for female sexual dysfunction affecting married women, no medication reverses the symptoms in patients with severe multiple sclerosis, just to mention a few.

    Where can this therapy be procured?

    There are centres in Ikeja GRA, Lekki, Ikoyi, Abuja. I believe there may be more where patients can be treated using adult stem cells and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy without having to travel abroad.

  • Cardiovascular diseases on the rise, say experts

    There is a surge in cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially diabetes and hypertension, physicians have said.

    At the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), more patients were seen registering for diabetes and hypertension than communicable diseases (CDs), for which hospital hitherto recorded high admissions.

    Consultant physician, LUTH, Dr Olufemi Fasanmade said records showed that more NCDs’ patients were visiting the hospital than before.

    “It may be because people are more of the danger and want to access treatment,” he added.

    The don said the rising incidence may be due to globalisation or westernisation because they have adopted foreign lifestyles, especially their fast foods.

    “People are taking more calories than they need. They take soft drinks in place of water, which is quite safe,” he added.

    He said a bottle of soft drink has between 140 and 200 calories while water has zero per cent. “Now if somebody takes three bottles of soft drink, he would have taken 600 calories. This means he would have increased his calories intake by more than 30 per cent. However, the quality of their exercise is still the same,” Fasanmade said.

    He said this was why people were pre-disposed to obesity and diabetes.

    He urged the people to change their lifestyle, adding: “They should learn to eat proper food than fas food, which contain plenty sugar and calories.

    He warned that juices were not devoid of sugar, stressing that they contain calories. “It doesn’t matter what names they are called, they all contain extra calories. The juices they wrote no added sugar still have sugar. They are just talking about specific types. Some of them have fruitcose, some sucrose, and galatcose and so on. But they all contain sugar. They all also contain calories,” he said.

    Power drinks, he said, were dangerous because they contain stimulants and extra calories. “So, it means the person who drinks them are at risk of developing various problems, apart from obesity or overweight.

    “Most stimulants can increase people’s reaction to stress. This means they can cause effect on people’s blood pressure and cardiac function, among others.

    A neurologist at LUTH, Dr Frank Ojini, corroborated what Dr Fasanmade said, adding that more patients were coming to the hospital for the treatment of diabetes and hypertension.

    According to him, going by what other specialists and doctors have reported, there is an increase in NCDs.

    He called for a change in diets and lifestyles.

    He said: “Most NCDs are due to westernisation. Our people are becoming more western in their lifestyle because they eat more fast food than proper food.

    “Most fast foods tend to contain plenty of salt and sugar. This is because they are processed.”

    On how to solve the problem, Ojini advised that people should exercise regularly by engaging in at least 30 minutes daily brisk walk, change their diets and try to live a stress-free life.

  • Akinkugbe, others seek solution to non-communicable diseases

    More Nigerians are being infected by Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including hypertension, in Nigeria. But experts say there is a solution, writes OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA.

    THE figures are scary. Over four million Nigerians are hypertensive. And the figure is likely to increase, Professor Emeritus of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, Prof. Olujimi. O. Akinkugbe has said.

    He spoke at the Pfizer Cardiovascular summit in Lagos.

    He said the number of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) would increase.

    A non-communicable disease is a medical condition or disease which is non-infectious and non-transmissible. Hypertension is one.

    The summit is the sixth. It has as theme: ‘Preventive strategies for cardiovascular disease.”

    According to the octogenarian, “A wise country is going to be proactive. It is already knocking at the door. It is going to be a health tsunami if we don’t take steps to prevent it because the wherewithal to prosecute medical remedy is often not there.

    “The situation will certainly be worse because the lifestyle of the average Nigerian has changed. We are living more sedentary lifestyles and eating Western diets. Our future must be in our hands and the preventive measures are quite cheap.

    ‘’The after-events like kidney failure is often beyond the reach of developing countries even the developed ones are struggling. Therefore, if we can put measures to prevent these diseases, then we will be saving hundreds of millions.”

    On how best to manage the development of cases of NCDs among Nigerians, he said: “Adequate detection is extremely important. It is not just going to the teaching hospital and checking blood pressure, but you have to go round the country to the rural areas. That was what we tried to do 20 years ago. As experts, we went round the country to see 20,000 persons selected from rural, semi-urban areas and we had a map of hypertension, diabetes. But the parameters have changed. We use 160/95mmHg for hypertension mapping and we found that four million Nigerians were hypertensive. Healthcare problem is a national emergency and it should be considered as such. The sustainability and viability of a country’s economic and social growth depend largely on vibrant health care sector of that nation. No country can maintain a steady economic growth in the absence of an adequate healthcare system.”

    He said more Nigerians are being affected because “Most people live very sedentary lifestyle and diets high in fats and carbohydrates. I play golf three times a week by 6.30am. It is my secret. Exercise is vital and I watch my sodium (salt) intake. The type of food we eat has also changed. People prefer Western diets that are low in fibre but high in sugar and salt. Many people sit for over five hours watching television, African Magic. I don’t have the luxury; that is sedentary lifestyle. These are what are called risk factors.

    On how came about the figure he said: “Now the need to focus on a target I think is becoming increasingly important. However, rough and ready that percentage might be, we must stick our necks out and say by 2020 or thereabout, we should be able to have reduced the burden. To do that you got to update the epidemiological study that was done 20 years ago because at that time there was a different cut-off point. We really don’t know at this point in time what the precise burden or the problem is. We got to define it and do it through a proper epidemiological study. It is not just checking blood pressures in teaching hospitals or going to the rural areas. We must select them properly. We only did 20,000 persons for us to draw a map of cardiovascular diseases. But we did the study in a purely reliable epidemiological way so that no one could fault this.”

    He added: “Now, once you do that then you begin to put in place measures. I think the problem we had was that after our study we went round and we said, well, you know about four million people were hypertensive and divided this into severe, moderate and mild. You know when you are dealing with mild hypertension, there are millions and the first question was how do we deal with this kind of mammoth problem? You know there are so many other conditions. I said we had better just pretend that it doesn’t exist because it was a time-bomb. If you say this to the world and they say what are you going to do about it. Unfortunately, although I know the Nigerian Hypertension Society (NHS) put together certain measures in terms of prevention but really that has not achieved a lot.”

    The guest speaker, Prof Sam Dagogo –Jack , a renowned Endocrinologist at the University of Tennessee Health Centre, Memphis TN, said finding a solution to health problems requires an aggressive approach by the federal, state, and local governments.