The Nigerian government has launched four strategic policy documents aimed at reducing the impact of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which are responsible for approximately 447,800 deaths annually, according to health officials.
Speaking in Abuja Thursday, while launching the policy documents at a ceremony themed “Revitalising NCDs Prevention and Control in Nigeria: Strengthening Multisectoral Collaboration”, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammed Pate, announced the introduction of these policies, designed to tackle the growing burden of NCDs in Nigeria.
According to Pate, these diseases account for 27 per cent of all deaths in the country each year, with many of these fatalities occurring among individuals aged 30 to 70.
Pate emphasised the urgency of addressing NCDs, citing unhealthy lifestyles such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diets, and physical inactivity as major contributing factors.
“The rising prevalence of these conditions necessitates immediate and comprehensive action,” he said.
The newly launched policies include guidelines for the prevention and management of hypertension, strategies for task-shifting and task-sharing among healthcare workers, and a national action plan for tobacco control covering 2024 to 2028. These documents, according to Pate, will guide the nation’s healthcare strategies and practices in the coming years, aligning with broader governmental initiatives like the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, Pate highlighted the government’s plans to bolster the nation’s healthcare infrastructure, including expanding cancer diagnosis and treatment facilities in six teaching hospitals. Additionally, the government is retraining 120,000 frontline health workers to better equip them with the skills needed to address evolving healthcare challenges.
Drawing on international examples, Pate referenced Finland’s successful North Karelia Project, which led to a 70 per cent reduction in coronary heart disease mortality through community-based interventions. He expressed optimism that Nigeria’s new policies could lead to similar improvements in public health outcomes.
Pate reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing access to quality NCD services, improving health insurance coverage, and supporting local manufacturing of essential medicines.
“These policies are not just documents; they are a blueprint for a healthier future for all Nigerians,” he concluded.
