NCD: Silent Killer of Africans

The 68th session of the World Health Organisation/ Africa Region, WHO/AFRO, meeting in Dakar, Senegal, has urged all member states to focus on Non-Communicable Diseases, NCDs.

The diseases, which are preventable, include diabetes, cancer, High Blood Pressure, obesity, and others, are silently causing the deaths of Africans of all ranks.

According to WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Rebecca Moeti, the continent has the highest level of hypertension cases in the world, as at least 30 percent of adults suffer from the NCDs.

An upward trend in adult onset of diabetes and obesity has been observed that has reached epidemic proportions among women in Sub-Saharan Africa, with at least 150,000 lives lost to tobacco-related diseases.

Moeti urged member States to support measures including; more taxes, no advertising, and compulsory health warnings for tobacco products and alcohol, and the involvement of sectors such as Trade.

In response, Nigeria’s Minister of Health  Prof. Isaac Adewole pledged that the country is committed to tackling the diseases by implementing policies and strategies, which include the ban on illicit tobacco trade and enforcement of anti-tobacco laws, which have achieved a lot.

Adewole added that Nigeria is currently in talks with the WHO on a project to treat all hypertensive patients in Ogun and Yobe States.