It is disturbing to learn that non-communicable diseases, or NCDs, claim the lives of nearly 684,000 Nigerians each year.

Illnesses that cannot be spread are known as non-communicable diseases. The majority of Nigerians have been fighting infectious or communicable diseases, such as TB, HIV, cholera, and the human immunodeficiency virus. However, because they are always in the news, these illnesses have drawn public attention.

However, few people focus on non-communicable diseases.

However, during a recent two-day health conference organized by Gatefield, Adewunmi Emoruwa, the Lead Strategist for Gatefield, raised attention to the startling incidence of non-communicable disease deaths in Abuja.

684,000 Nigerians are killed by non-communicable diseases, stakeholders express alarm
Speaking at the summit themed “Beyond65: Preventing the Quiet Epidemic,” Emoruwa criticized the terrible consequences of non-communicable illnesses, claiming that they kill more than 684,000 people in Nigeria each year.

“In Nigeria, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) cause over 684,000 deaths every year,” he stated. This is the same as eradicating the entire population of Luxembourg annually. We cannot overlook this avoidable crisis any longer.

According to him, the percentage of deaths in Nigeria attributable to NCDs has risen from 24% in 2010 to 29% currently. In order to address the rising NCD epidemic in Nigeria, where life expectancy is only 52 years on average, Gatefield also introduced a new health plan.

Emoruwa listed the risky rise of unhealthy diets, including foods and beverages with added sugars, excessive salt consumption, alcohol and tobacco use, and environmental pollution, as the main causes of the NCDs’ silent epidemic.

According to him, Nigerians drink 4.9 servings of sugary drinks a week, which is over double the average for the world. At 5.8 grams per day, the amount of salt consumed is extremely high and exceeds the WHO’s recommended intake.

Heavy episodic drinking is very common in Nigeria (27.3%), and smoking rates in Africa are expected to increase by 30% by 2030 if nothing is done.

He claimed that 48 million Nigerians do not engage in enough physical activity, which raises their risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

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.

He told DAILY POST: “To reduce the increase of these kinds of diseases, the government needs to aggressively enlighten people on the factors that can predispose to the development 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.”

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.”

684,000 Nigerians are killed by non-communicable diseases, stakeholders express alarm
Non-communicable diseases, according to Professor Anthony Ugwu of the Radiography Department at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, are illnesses that are incapable of spreading from one person to another.

Among other conditions, he mentioned diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis.

He also discussed the roles that individuals and the government should play in putting an end to the trend.

When people lead healthy lifestyles, which include avoiding excessive alcohol use, smoking, and regular exercise, the number can be lowered; that is on the side of the individuals.

“Regular health talks and programs to educate people on health protective behaviors are another way the government can address the situation,” he said.

Regarding the scourge’s effects on the country’s health system, he pointed out that in addition to the loss of many productive Nigerians who could have used their human resources to boost the nation’s economy, the population’s poverty level would rise.

“The implication is that there will be increased poverty due to low productivity due to ill health and increased healthcare costs,” he stated.