The
Honourable Coordinating Minister of health and Social Welfare, Professor,
Muhammad Ali Pate, has reiterated his unwavering commitment to improving health
outcomes for all Nigerians in line with the vision of His Excellency, President
Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda on health which prioritizes
health and well-being geared towards achieving health-related Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs:3"Good Health and Well-being.
The
Coordinating Minister gave the assurance in his speech at an event
titled"Revitalizing NCDs Prevention and Control in Nigeria-Strengthening
Multisectoral Collaboration"on launching a series of Pivot National Policy
Documents held on the 22nd August,2024 in Abuja.
The Minister,
who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom
S. mni, stated that the event reflected the collective resolve to confront one
of the most significant public health challenges at present, explained that
some Non-communicable Diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer,
diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, sickle cell and mental disorders, pose
severe threat to Public Health in Nigeria accounting to 27% of all annual
deaths in the country.
He pointed out that this indicates that approximately 447,800 lives are lost each year and many of which are premature, occurring between the ages of 30 and 70, this according to him, highlighted the urgency of government intervention, adding that it is important to note that majority of the NCDs risk factors are preventable. He mentioned that some of these challenges are exacerbated by demographic and epidemiological transition and adoption of unhealthy lifestyles, such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor diets and physical inactivity.
Group photograph, Permanent Secretary (Center) with important personalities
flanked (Left) by Chairman National Tobacco Control Committee, Bridget Okoeguale and
(Right) by Director, Public Health, Dr Chukwuma Anyaike at the Launching of
National Policy Documents for the Prevention and control of Non-communicable Diseases.
Professor
Muhammad Ali Pate stated that to address these pressing issues, the Ministry
developed a comprehensive response encapsulated in several key Policy Documents
describing the launching of the documents as a crucial step in the nation's
journey towards a healthier future, adding that they are not just guidelines
but also instruments of change that will shape healthcare practices and
policies for years to come.
He cited
remarkable successes recorded by Finland and South Africa for implementing
comprehensive NCDs strategies on cardiovascular disease and salt consumption
respectively, explaining that these publications are aligned with Government's
broader goals under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative
(NHSRII) and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Pate said that by providing evidence-based guidelines
and fostering a culture of accountability and excellence, government is
empowering its healthcare providers to deliver better care and communities to
take proactive steps towards
healthier lifestyles.
Narrating
some of the achievements recorded by the Ministry towards combating
Non-communicable Diseases, the Minister said that government is expanding
cancer diagnosis and treatment infrastructure in six Federal Teaching
Hospitals, training of 120,000 Frontline health workers is underway with a view
to equipping them with latest skills and knowledge to meet evolving healthcare
needs, enhancing health Insurance coverage and supporting local manufacturers
of essential medicines.
Expressing
his appreciations to the key partners , such as World Health Organization
(WHO), National Primary Health Care Development Authority (NPHCDA), National
Health Insurance Agency (NHIA), Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and
Private Organizations, Pate said " As we advance in our fight against
NCDs, I commend all individuals living with these conditions, as well as those
committed to educating and supporting them. Your resilience and dedication are
crucial to our collective success".
In her
welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Daju Kachollom
S.mni, represented by the Director, Public Health, Dr Chukwuma Anyaike
advocated for a collaborative effort and engagement of community actors in the
fight against Non-communicable Diseases, lamenting that currently they are
trying to overtake the communicable diseases.
While
welcoming all the participants at the event, she pointed out that strategies
should be employed so that all anomalies are corrected for greater success in
the crusade.
In a goodwill
message, the Country Representative, World Health Organization (WHO), Dr,Walter
Kazaki Mulumbo , promised to extend support that the organization has been
given to additional four states where an aggressive and effective NCDs
Prevention and control Programme will be carried out.
"WHO in
collaboration with each state government with support from Federal Ministry of
Health and Social Welfare to put in strategies and plan to control NCDs as we
witness the launch of these policy documents today. We're actually hopeful
these documents will really save the losses in accident and control
Non-communicable Diseases."
Dr. Mulumbo
stated that he had discussions with some states commissioners of health and
they told him how NCDs become a negative nightmare, promising that WHO will
work with them and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to launch
a nationwide campaign on NCDs.
In their
separate goodwill messages, the Chairman, National Tobacco Control Committee,
Bridget Okoeguale and Executive Director Resolve to Save Lives, Nanlop
Ogbureke, promised their unflinching support to reduce Non-communicable
Diseases through their respective organizations.
Others are:
the National Tobacco Control Enforcement Plan, 2024-2028, Newsletter for People
Living with NCDs(PLWNCDs) and Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette -
Fats, Oil& Food containing fats and oils Regulations 2022.
The event was
attended by important personalities including States Commissioners of Health
and Directors of Public Health of various states.
ADO BAKO
AD(Information
and Public Relations)
22/8/2024.
