WORLD Health Organisation (WHO) yesterda said Nigeria accounts for the highest burden of child HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in Africa.
It noted that while the country accounts for 50 per cent of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), 22 per cent are killed yearly by four diseases: hypertension, cancer, malnutrition and diabetes.
It called for commitment to build strong health systems, particularly primary health care (PHC), with emphasis on disease prevention.
Speaking at the Sixth Annual Conference of Association of Nigerian Health Journalists (ANHEJ) in Nasarawa, WHO ‘s Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, represented by Field Presence Cluster Lead, Ahmed Khedr, said: “Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) account for 29 per cent of deaths in Nigeria with premature mortality from hypertension, diabetes, cancers, malnutrition accounting for 22 per cent.
“The Astana declaration of 2018 seeks to ensure that governments prioritise, promote and protect people’s health and well-being…”
President of ANHEJ, Mallam Zaggi urged governments to prioritise health, because only a healthy society that can be productive.
He called on lawmakers to enact laws to support Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through health insurance to reduce costs in accessing health services.