Nigeria's NCD Crisis: Urgent Call for Funding and Action

Experts have raised alarms regarding Nigeria's non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis, attributing it to weak funding, poor institutional capacity, and inadequate coordination. During a two-day capacity strengthening workshop in Nasarawa State, stakeholders emphasized the urgent need for intervention to prevent the worsening situation.

Vice President Lisdel Muham Usman engaged with participants to galvanize support from relevant stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, National Assembly, and civil society organizations. Usman noted that NCDs have become a major public health concern in Nigeria, yet they continue to receive insufficient attention and funding.

He highlighted that last year, no funds were released for NCD initiatives, underscoring the urgency for action. Prof. Emmanuel Alhassan pointed out significant gaps in Nigeria's response to NCDs, revealing that many Nigerians live with conditions like hypertension without awareness.

Dr. Alayo Sopekan described NCDs as largely driven by lifestyle factors, emphasizing the need for lifestyle changes to manage these chronic conditions effectively.