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Non-communicable diseases claim 684,000 Nigerians – Stakeholders react

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The recent report that over 684,000 Nigerians die from non communicable diseases, NCDs, annually, is a source of concern.

Non communicable diseases are diseases that are not contagious. Most Nigerians have been battling with communicable or infectious diseases like cholera, Human Immuno Virus, HIV, tuberculosis among others.

Such diseases have, however, attracted public attention as they are always in the news.

But, not many pay attention to the non communicable diseases.

However, the staggering number of casualties of non communicable diseases was brought to the front burner by the Lead Strategist of Gatefield, Adewunmi Emoruwa, in Abuja recently at a two-day health summit organised by Gatefield.

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.”

He revealed that the NCD-related deaths in Nigeria have increased from 24 percent in 2010 to 29 percent at present.

Gatefield, also launched a new health strategy to tackle the growing crisis of NCDs in Nigeria, where life expectancy averages just 52 years.

Listing what he described as the driving factors for the NCDs’ quiet epidemic, Emoruwa attributed the crisis to the dangerous rise of unhealthy diets such as foods and beverages containing added-sugars, excessive salt consumption, alcohol and tobacco use, and environmental pollution.

He said Nigerians consume 4.9 servings of sugary drinks per week, nearly double the global average.

Salt intake is dangerously high at 5.8 grammes per day, above the World Health Organisation, WHO, recommended level.

“Nigeria has a high prevalence of heavy episodic drinking at 27.3 percent, and without intervention, smoking rates in Africa are projected to rise by 30 percent by 2030“Around 48 million Nigerians are not physically active enough, increasing the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease,” he said.

He said that there was a need to tackle tobacco use, sedentary lifestyle and ensure behaviour change among others.

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 aimed at reducing preventable deaths and improving life expectancy.

“They are fixing our national diet, taking down tobacco, and supporting mental health among others.

”She added that Gatefield’s strategy would push for policies that encourage routine screenings, public health education, and stronger enforcement of regulations on ultra-processed foods, sugar sweetened beverages, and harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol.

On solutions to addressing the issue, the former Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Babatunde Irukera, called for a robust government’s policy.

“A robust policy and structure will be a combination of hard and soft infrastructure in the forms of both physical structures such as facilities and equipment, and soft ones such as sufficiently trained human capital who recognise their roles and obligations as caregivers and institutions to ensure accountability,” he said.

Throwing more light on the subject of discussion, Dr. Uche Okenyi of Nova’s Place Hospital, Festac, Lagos, further described non communicable diseases as chronic non transmittable diseases which can manifest as a result of genetics, environmental factors, lifestyles, among others.

He gave examples to include but not limited to hypertension, asthma, cancer, sickle cell diseases, stroke, among others.

“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 offered insight into how the 684, 000 annual death figure can be reduced.

He believes that if the number of annual deaths from non communicable diseases in Nigeria must be reduced drastically, both the government and individuals have roles to play.

Health

Aliko Dangote Foundation Donates Ambulance to Mainland Hospital Yaba

The donated ambulance is expected to greatly improve the hospital’s emergency response capabilities, enabling swift mobility for critical cases and enhancing overall efficiency in disease outbreak responses.

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the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has donated a brand-new ambulance to Mainland Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.

The donated ambulance is expected to greatly improve the hospital’s emergency response capabilities, enabling swift mobility for critical cases and enhancing overall efficiency in disease outbreak responses.

The hospital’s MD/CEO, Dr. Adejumo Adedeji Olusola, said that the donation has addressed a longstanding challenge, allowing the hospital to perform tasks that were previously impossible.

“We are really grateful, and our sincere gratitude goes to Mr. Aliko Dangote. We lacked an ambulance for about 10 years, but now we have one we can boast of thanks to Mr. Aliko Dangote,” Dr. Olusola said.

The Aliko Dangote Foundation has been at the forefront of major health interventions in Nigeria, including efforts to combat malnutrition, polio, and pandemic outbreaks.

This donation reflects the foundation’s broader mission to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.

Dr. Francis Aminu, Director of Health and Nutrition at ADF, emphasized the foundation’s dedication to improving the lives of Nigerians, particularly in the health sector.

“What we do at ADF isn’t just charity, it’s a duty. We believe that every Nigerian life is valuable, and health is the foundation on which all other aspirations are built; no Nigerian should be left behind due to a lack of access to essential health resources,” he stated.

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Sufferer of Kidney Failure, Sewanu, Needs Your Help

Dialisys is 55k per session at Gbagada hospital but in some places it’s over 130k. So this is how I have been doing it since until later I was told at the hospital to go for kidney transplant but before I go for transplant, I will still be doing my dialisys twice a week.

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Shared by Dr Love , on X (Twitter):

My name is Hosu moses sewanu, a native of Ipokia local government in ogun state, was born and raised in Lagos state .

My dad is late, I still have my mum and am the second out of the family of 3.

It all started late 2023, I woke one morning and I noticed that the left side of my head was seriously pounding so I took paracetamol just like the normal thing thinking it was just an ordinary headache but after taking the paracetamol few minute later the headache started again to the extent that it was difficult for me to turn my neck so I managed it like that for about 3 days but when the aching didn’t stop I had to call my mum to tell her what I was facing so she said to me that I should try and come over to her place, on getting to my mum’s place.

She decided that I have to go to Randle general hospital that I should go and complain there about my health.

Immediately I got to Randle, checking my blood pressure level, it was very high and I was referred to the emergency department for quick response, at the emergency, I was required to do some laboratory tests which I did.

So I was admitted immediately for about 4 days, later the doctor told me to go and redo the same test again at another laboratory center outside the hospital. When the results came out, it was reading that I am having chronic kidney failure.

When I was told about the situation, my entire body was very buttered that I almost run mad.

When my mum came. She was also told the same thing then I was referred to gbagada general hospital for proper treatment and to be seeing a neufrologist that is the specialist doctor for kidney cases.

So I started visiting gbagada hospital for check ups and clinic days. By that time my body have not started noticing it like that nor until late 2024

I started feeling very weak, I don’t sleep at night, I couldn’t eat like that, my entire body was down.

So I tried going back to the hospital at Gbagada, there I was admitted instantly and they started the treatment process, later on, I was told to start dialisys, that I should do five, so I started dialisysing at Gbagada hospital at first It was five. After doing the five, I was told to start another five again .

Making it 10 sessions ater doing the 10th session I was discharged home just to be attending the clinic alone, later I was told at the clinic that I should not stop the dialisys that this time, I have to be doing it twice a week.

Dialisys is 55k per session at Gbagada hospital but in some places it’s over 130k. So this is how I have been doing it since until later I was told at the hospital to go for kidney transplant but before I go for transplant, I will still be doing my dialisys twice a week.

So far now, I have done 23 sessions of dialisys and still counting. As it is now, I don’t work again, I can’t even do anything now, even to move around like before is really difficult because the whole thing have started manifesting I mean my body can’t carry me like before.

I am in very severe pain, the drugs prescribed for me by the doctors are very expensive and they are much all are compulsory for me to buy.

Hmm I pray that God should send me help from above, a miracle is what I am expecting.

This is the little I can say about my state of health now.

0119741433 GT bank account, Hosu Moses sewanu

Or

1229255323 Zenith bank

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JUST IN: Ogun confirms Lassa fever outbreak as NYSC member dies

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A 25-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), has reportedly died of Lassa fever at a secondary health facility in ljebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

It wwas learnt that the female corp member who fell sick while in Ondo State, was brought to the health facility last Tuesday and later died same day.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, on Wednesday.

Coker also confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state.

The statement reads, “Ogun State has confirmed a case of Lassa Fever and as such declared Lassa fever outbreak.

“The index case is a 25-year-old female National Youth Corp member who fell sick while in Ondo State and was brought to on of our secondary health facility in ljebu North LGA on 18th March 2025 and later died same day.

“ Lassa fever is a viral Haemorrhagic disease that presents with High grade fever, Headache, General body weakness, Sore throat, Muscle pain, Cough, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Chest pain and Unexplained bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth and other body openings.

”Coker urged members of the community to report to the hospital if any of the listed symptoms is noticed.

“We implore members of the community to promptly report to the hospital if they notice any of these symptoms.

Any case of febrile illness that has not responded to 48 hours use of anti-malaria or antibiotics should raise an index of suspicion for Lassa fever!

“We implore all Health facilities in Ogun State, public and private, to step up Infection Prevention and Control measures and to encourage compliance by all health facility staff.“

Healthcare worker that suspects Lassa fever in a patient, are advised to call their local government disease surveillance and notification officer (LGA DSNO) whose numbers are placed in our health facilities or call State Disease surveillance and Notification Officer (0703-421-4893) or State Epidemiologist (0808-425-0881),” she added.

The commissioner, however reiterated the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s dedication to protecting the health of the citizens through continuous surveillance and prompt response to infectious diseases.

She added that the ministry in collaboration with the Rapid Response Team at ljebu North East is keeping the situation under control with enhanced surveillance and community engagement and mobilization for effective response.

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