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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

Chinese Scientists Developing Pregnancy Robots

Dr Zhang Qifeng, who founded the company IT Kaiwa Technology, said the robot will replicate the entire process from conception to delivery where the sperm and egg will be fertilised inside the robot then it will grow to term 9 months later.

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Scientists in China are developing the world’s first life size ‘pregnancy robot’ capable of carrying a baby to term and giving birth.

Dr Zhang Qifeng, who founded IT Kaiwa Technology, said the robot will replicate the entire process from conception to delivery where the sperm and egg will be fertilised inside the robot then it will grow to term 9 months later.

The robot aims to offer a pregnancy alternative for women who wish to avoid the burdens of pregnancy and the dramatic changes it makes to woman’s body.

The robot will be equipped with an artificial womb that receives nutrients through a hose.

It is expected to be released next year, with a selling price of around US $13,555.

Feminist activists have been strongly opposed to the use of artificial wombs because it could lead to the ‘end of women’.’

The real question now is, will men, once the artificial womb is perfected, want to keep women around? How would the baby feel the emotions and the bond between mother and child?

(Facebook)

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Health

Customs intercept expired pharmaceuticals at Apapa port

Adeniyi explained that on receipt of credible information, a 40ft container with registration number, MRSU6407089, was jointly examined by officers of the NCS and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

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The Nigeria Customs Service seized seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medications, three containers of expired food items, particularly margarine, and three containers of absolutely prohibited used clothing at the Apapa port.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, estimated that the duty paid values of the seizures made on Monday, arms included, was more than N10 billion.

Adeniyi explained that on receipt of credible information, a 40ft container with registration number, MRSU6407089, was jointly examined by officers of the NCS and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The container was adjudged clean, but a secondary search by the two agencies revealed the concealment of 202 cans of Colorado loud, that is, Canadian drugs.

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Health

Chikungunya: Could It Happen in Nigeria?

WHO’s Technical Lead for Arboviruses, Dr Diana Rojas-Alvarez said the warning was being sounded early to give countries a fighting chance.

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The World Health Organisation, WHO, on Monday warned of a global resurgence of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease, following major outbreaks in La Réunion, Mayotte, and Mauritius since March.

However, Nigeria is not yet on the list of countries currently battling chikungunya outbreaks, but public health experts warn that the nation’s environmental conditions make it highly susceptible.

The outbreaks, WHO said, have now spread to South and East Asia, mirroring patterns seen 20 years ago when a wave that began in the Indian Ocean swept across continents, infecting nearly half a million people.

“This further spread is highly concerning because it follows a trajectory we’ve seen before-one that can quickly escalate into a global public health emergency,” WHO stated in its advisory.

The agency also confirmed that the virus continues to spread in endemic regions, with the Americas already reporting over 200,000 cases this year alone.

WHO said that about 5.6 billion people worldwide now live in areas suitable for the spread of Aedes mosquitoes-the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus which transmit chikungunya along with other diseases such as dengue and Zika.

Chikungunya has been detected or transmitted in 119 countries globally. In communities with little or no immunity, WHO warned that the disease can infect up to three-quarters of the population in a short period, severely straining healthcare systems.

WHO’s Technical Lead for Arboviruses, Dr Diana Rojas-Alvarez said the warning was being sounded early to give countries a fighting chance.

“We are raising the alarm early so countries can prepare early through surveillance, mosquito control, and public awareness-to avoid overwhelming health services,” she explained

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