Gatefield, a policy advocacy group, has inaugurated a comprehensive health strategy aimed at combating Nigeria’s alarming life expectancy crisis, which currently averages 52 years.
This initiative seeks to tackle the escalating prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which account for a staggering 30 per cent of all deaths in the country.
During the inauguration at the Gatefield Health Summit 2024, Mr Adewunmi Emoruwa, Gatefield’s Lead Strategist, emphasised the urgent need for interventions to combat diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke.
The summit brought together influential global health leaders and advocates.
They were to address the escalating crisis of NCDs in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for 37 per cent of deaths (more than one in three deaths in the region.
“Non-Communicable Diseases are responsible for over 684,000 deaths annually in Nigeria, equivalent to wiping out the entire population of Luxembourg every single year.
“This is more than a public health issue; it is a matter of life and death.
“By reducing risk factors today, we can save millions of lives across Africa over the next decade,” he said.
The summit, themed “Beyond 65,” aimed to raise awareness of the significant disparity in life expectancy between Nigeria and high-income countries, where individuals typically live beyond 80 years.
Board Co-Chair of Gatefield, Ms Sa’adatu Hamu-Aliyu, said that the life expectancy gap reflected systemic issues in healthcare access and lifestyle choices.
Hamu-Aliyu outlined Gatefield’s strategy, which includes five key interventions:
He listed the interventions to include, implementing measures to reduce the consumption of sugar, sodium, and ultra-processed foods; strengthening tobacco control laws, and regulating emerging nicotine products.
“Others are, encouraging daily movement to combat obesity, advocating for cleaner energy policies to reduce respiratory illnesses, and fostering a community-driven approach to address mental health crises,” he said.
A Professor of nutrition at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Barry Popkin discussed the alarming rise of overweight and obesity in Nigeria, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Popkin explained the dual burden of malnutrition, noting that Nigeria is ranked among the top 15 countries globally for levels of overweight and obesity.
He expressed concern over dietary shifts, particularly the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods among pregnant women and infants, which contribute to rising rates of hypertension and diabetes.
He stressed the urgent need for awareness and policy measures, such as implementing warning labels on harmful food products, to effectively address these public health challenges.
“Warning labels are the only approach we have seen that positively impacts consumption by reducing the intake of foods high in added sugars and sodium,” he said.
In addition, stakeholders advocated for urgent fiscal policies to address the rising incidence of NCDs in Nigeria.
Africa Regional Coordinator for UNDP, Mr Sa’id Tafida, highlighted the critical role of fiscal strategies in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
Tafida underscored the necessity of prioritising public health spending.
“By implementing taxes on harmful products such as tobacco, alcohol, and sugary beverages, we can reduce consumption and mitigate the rise of NCDs,” she said.
Dr Fatima Dambatta of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation called for a comprehensive public health approach that includes interventions for both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
“While global health interventions often focus on communicable diseases, the burden of NCDs, responsible for 74 per cent of global deaths, cannot be ignored,” Dambatta said.
NCD-related deaths in Nigeria have risen from 24 per cent in 2010 to 29 per cent.
“Nigerians consume nearly double the global average of sugary drinks, at 4.9 servings per week, while high rates of inactivity and air pollution continue to exacerbate health risks.
The Gatefield Health Summit 2024 aims to unite global health leaders in addressing the urgent crisis of NCDs in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
It is aimed at promoting fiscal health policies and effective healthcare strategies to ensure a healthier future for all Nigerians.
NAN
