Nigeria Faces Rising Non-Communicable Diseases, Says Health Minister

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has revealed that Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are now one of the fastest-growing health issues in Nigeria. He emphasized that this situation demands urgent action from the health system.

Mr Pate made this statement on Thursday in Abuja during the launch of a book about Nigeria’s NCDs and health reforms. The event was organized by the Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON).

He pointed out that conditions like hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, sickle cell disease, cancers, and neurological disorders are rising due to lifestyle changes and an ageing population.

The minister noted that Nigeria's health reforms began over 20 years ago, leading to the National Health Act, with significant progress seen in the last three years.

He mentioned that the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) has cut maternal deaths by 22 percent and newborn deaths by 10 percent.

According to him, a recent mini Demographic and Health Survey showed improvements in skilled birth attendance, antenatal care, and the use of contraceptives.

Mr Pate stated that malaria cases have fallen to 15 percent, the lowest in 20 to 30 years, based on survey data. But he noted that challenges like HIV, tuberculosis, and maternal mortality continue to exist.

"NCDs, even though smaller, are becoming an increasingly faster-growing segment of our burden of disease," he said.

He explained that the federal government is acting through the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. This initiative aims to bring together federal, state, and local governments, civil society, and the private sector.

Mr Pate reported that the federal health budget allocation has risen to six percent from about three to four percent. He added that states are being urged to increase their health funding.

The government has expanded primary healthcare services, retrained nearly 80,000 frontline health workers in three years, and doubled the admission numbers for medical and nursing students.

He noted that three of six world-class tertiary health centres have been opened in Azare, Enugu, and Benin.

Additionally, 10 world-class diagnostic centres with MRI, CT scanners, and catheterisation laboratories have been completed in partnership with MedServe and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). Two of these centres were recently finished in Ibadan and Bauchi.

Mr Pate added that the Federal Executive Council has approved over N268 billion for major infrastructure projects at the National Hospital in Abuja.

He mentioned that the government is promoting prevention through the National Health Promotion Policy and the Know Your Numbers campaign. This campaign has reached 10 million Nigerians to check their blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and prostate-specific antigen levels.

The government has also launched Medipool, a group purchasing organization. This aims to ensure that quality and affordable medicines are available at primary healthcare centres and to improve treatment for hypertension and diabetes.

Mr Pate highlighted that affordability is crucial since NCDs require lifelong treatment. He noted that more than seven million Nigerians have gained health insurance in the last three years through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

He mentioned that local drug manufacturing is being boosted through the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC).

Mr Pate praised HERFON and the authors of the book for their analysis and recommendations on addressing NCDs in Nigeria.

Idris Muhammed, the Chairman of HERFON’s Board of Trustees, also spoke at the event. He said the foundation pushes for better healthcare for Nigerians through policy advocacy, capacity building, and generating evidence at all levels.

He highlighted that HERFON operates in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and has contributed to key health sector successes, including the National Health Act of 2014.

Mr Muhammed mentioned that the book is the result of months of review by over 70 experts from Nigeria, South Africa, the Middle East, the UK, and the US.

"The book tells us where we are, what we are doing wrong and what we must do right to stem the tide of NCDs," he said.