A Nigerian doctor, Dr Omolara Olagunju, has advised Nigerians to adopt healthy daily habits to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Olagunju, a paediatrician, gave the advice in Abuja at the inauguration of her foundation, the Nuparadigm Health Foundation.
She described NCDs as some of the deadliest diseases affecting Nigerians, noting that conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases pose a growing threat to public health.
According to her, the increasing burden of NCDs underscores the need for widespread access to accurate and essential health information.
She said the foundation was established based on her interactions with communities, which revealed that many Nigerians lacked basic knowledge about maintaining good health.
“Our mission is simple: to go into communities and educate people.
“We want everyone to understand that essential health information exists and that everyone has a right to it.
“This information helps individuals make informed decisions to protect and maintain their health,” she said.
Olagunju said the rising prevalence of NCDs was being driven by urbanization, unhealthy lifestyles and limited access to healthcare services.
She stressed the need for a multi-level preventive approach to curb the trend and mitigate its economic and social consequences.
She added that an information bulletin released alongside the foundation’s launch highlighted the escalating NCD burden and recommended targeted interventions.
According to her, the bulletin also outlined actions for government and stakeholders to reduce NCD-related deaths and improve overall public health outcomes.
Olagunju said only 29 per cent of Nigerians living with hypertension were aware of their condition, while just three per cent had their blood pressure adequately controlled.
She noted that diabetes prevalence had increased from 2.5 per cent in the 1990s to about seven per cent in 2024, largely due to urbanization and sedentary lifestyles.
“Cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, account for about 38 per cent of premature NCD-related deaths in Nigeria.
“About 26 per cent of women and 20 per cent of men are obese,” she said.
She urged Nigerians to take responsibility for their health, stressing that prevention remained the most effective strategy.
The foundation, she said, would focus on sustained community education to help people understand how to live healthier lives.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Iseko Iseko, a physician and interventional cardiologist, spoke on cardiovascular health and preventive healthcare in Nigeria.
Iseko explained that disease prevention was divided into primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
“Primary prevention focuses on preventing diseases before they occur.
“Secondary prevention involves treating existing conditions early to prevent complications.
“Tertiary prevention focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration into society after a major health event,” he said.
He noted that all three levels were crucial, adding that most health complications occurred outside hospital settings, making preventive care and early intervention essential.
