The recent revelation that more than 684,000 Nigerians succumb to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) each year has raised concerns among stakeholders.
Non-communicable diseases are those that cannot be transmitted from one person to another.
However, while many Nigerians have been primarily focused on combating infectious diseases such as cholera, HIV, and tuberculosis, which frequently dominate media coverage, the issue of non-communicable diseases has not received the same level of attention.
Nonetheless, the alarming statistics regarding the fatalities associated with non-communicable diseases were highlighted by Adewunmi Emoruwa, the Lead Strategist of Gatefield, during a recent two-day health summit held in Abuja.
Speaking at the summit entitled, “Beyond65: Preventing the Quiet Epidemic,” Emoruwa decried the devastating negative impacts of non-communicable diseases, which he said claims over 684,000 lives annually in Nigeria.
He said: “NCDs are responsible for over 684,000 deaths annually in Nigeria. This is equivalent to wiping out an entire population of Luxembourg every single year. This preventable crisis can no longer be ignored.”
The increase in non-communicable disease (NCD)-related fatalities in Nigeria has risen from 24 per cent in 2010 to 29 per cent currently, as disclosed by Emoruwa.
In response to this escalating crisis, Gatefield has introduced a new health strategy aimed at addressing the challenges posed by NCDs in a country where the average life expectancy is only 52 years.
Emoruwa identified several key factors contributing to what he termed a silent epidemic of NCDs.
He pointed to the alarming rise in unhealthy dietary habits, including the consumption of foods and beverages high in added sugars, excessive salt intake, and the use of alcohol and tobacco, alongside environmental pollution.
He noted that Nigerians consume an average of 4.9 servings of sugary drinks each week, which is nearly double the global average. Additionally, the daily salt intake stands at 5.8 grams, exceeding the levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The country also faces a significant challenge with heavy episodic drinking, which affects 27.3 per cent of the population. Without proactive measures, smoking rates in Africa are anticipated to increase by 30 per cent by 2030.
Furthermore, Emoruwa highlighted that approximately 48 million Nigerians do not engage in sufficient physical activity, thereby heightening their risk for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
He emphasized the urgent need to address tobacco use, promote physical activity, and encourage behavioural changes among the population.
He said: “NCDs, like cancer and heart diseases, are not death sentences if caught early. But too often, people don’t recognise the signs, don’t get tested, and seek help only when it’s too late.
“The government must invest in messaging. The government shouldn’t wait for the WHO; they shouldn’t wait for the UN. The government needs to bring the money out.”
In her contribution, the Gatefield’s Board Co-chair, Sa’adatu Hamu-Aliyu, said the average Nigerian does not live past the age of 52 and the average African does not live past the age of 64.
She said: “Compare this to Europe, Japan, and Canada, where life expectancy exceeds 80 years. This means that an average person in the developed world is likely to live at least 20 years longer than their fellow humans in low and middle income populations.”
She said Gatefield’s health strategy outlines five key interventions to reduce preventable deaths and improve life expectancy.
“They are fixing our national diet, taking down tobacco, and supporting mental health, among others,” Hamu-Aliyu noted.
She emphasized that Gatefield’s approach would advocate for policies aimed at promoting regular screenings, enhancing public health education, and implementing stricter regulations on ultra-processed foods, sugary beverages, and harmful substances such as tobacco and alcohol.
Regarding potential solutions to this issue, Babatunde Irukera, the former Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, stressed the necessity of a comprehensive government policy.
He noted that such a comprehensive policy would integrate both hard and soft infrastructure, encompassing physical assets like facilities and equipment, as well as soft elements such as adequately trained personnel who understand their responsibilities as caregivers and institutions to ensure accountability.
Strategies To Decrease Annual Death Toll On Non-Communicable Diseases
Expanding on this topic, Dr. Uche Okenyi from Nova’s Place Hospital in Festac, Lagos, further characterized non-communicable diseases as chronic conditions that are not transmissible and can arise from a combination of genetic predispositions, environmental influences, and lifestyle choices.
He cited examples including, but not limited to, hypertension, asthma, cancer, sickle cell disease, and stroke.
“These types of diseases contrast with diseases which can be transmitted from person to person, for example cholera, tuberculosis, HIV, among others,” he added.
He provided valuable perspectives on strategies to decrease the annual death toll of 684,000.
He asserts that a significant reduction in annual fatalities due to non-communicable diseases in Nigeria requires active participation from both the government and individuals.
“To mitigate the rise of these diseases, it is essential for the government to actively educate the public about the risk factors that contribute to the onset of these conditions.
“The government also needs to create the enabling environment that will enable individuals and families to thrive and be empowered in order to eat and live right.
“For the individuals, lifestyle changes are paramount, including avoiding alcohol, smoking, physical inactivity and overindulgence. It is also important that people marry right in the case of sickle cell,” Okenyi told Daily Post.
He noted that the cost implications are very heavy on the government, adding that it puts a big strain on the government’s budgets on health.
He said: “For the health sector, the burden and cost of care for non-communicable diseases is prohibitive, from diagnosis to initial stabilization, then follow up and maintenance.
“Tests reagents, diagnostic equipment, drugs and possible surgical interventions for cases like brain clot from severe hypertension or regular blood transfusion for people with sickle cell diseases are expensive.
“These can overstretch the budgets for the health sector, leading to paucity of funds to run regular services. This affects the remuneration of health workers, leading to incessant strikes by healthcare workers, and ultimately worsening the situation.”
Professor Anthony Ugwu of the Radiography Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, also described non-communicable diseases as those diseases that cannot be transmitted from one person to another.
He also cited diabetes, hypertension and arthritis, among others, as examples of such diseases.
He also spoke about the government’s and individuals’ role in ensuring that the trend is halted.
“The figure can be reduced when individuals live a good lifestyle, including abstaining from excessive intake of alcohol, smoking, as well as engaging in regular exercises; that is on the side of the individuals.
“However, the government can also address the situation by organising regular health talks and programmes to enlighten people on health protective behaviours,” he said.
On the implications of the scourge to the nation’s health sector, he noted that apart from losing quite a number of productive Nigerians that could have contributed to the country’s economic growth through their human resources, there would also be an increase in the poverty level of the populace.
He said: “The implication is that there will be increased poverty because of increased healthcare costs and low productivity due to ill health.”
