Experts brainstorm on national plans to control cardiovascular diseases

Experts are moving in to help stem the rising incidences of cardiovascular diseases through the implementation of a national action plan amid growing concerns among Nigerians to cultivate better health habits.

The Nigerian Heart Foundation, Federal Ministry of Health, World Health Organisation (Nigeria) and other partners marking the World Hear Day recently in Abuja, emphasised the need to focus on implementation of the national plans of action to control cardiovascular disease and use healthy diets as preventive strategies.

“It is our hope that this years’ event would afford all participants the opportunity to brainstorm on the progress and barriers to the implementation of our National plans of Action for the control of cardiovascular diseases”, said Sonny Kuku, president of the non-communicable diseases (NCD) Alliance Nigeria.

Kuku added that it is predicted that by the year 2025, fifty-five percent of all deaths will be due to NCDs. I therefore wish to congratulate the conveners of this landmark meeting for your foresight.

“This is especially so because this meeting is taking place at a time that Nigeria is perceived to be lagging behind in addressing the large and growing threat of NCDs to our health, and indeed the development of our nation” Kuku said.

Some of objectives of the Nigerian Heart Foundation are; prevention of heart disease and promotion of research on cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria.

Speaking at a ministerial press briefing, during the commemoration, Kingsley Akinroye, executive director NHF described the World Heart Day as haven been heart-warming since its inception in 2000 by NHF because the number of stakeholders and people marking the WHD every year has been growing steadily especially in major cities in Nigeria.

“It is our hope that in the immediate future all the local governments in the country will mark the World Heart Day every year” Akinroye said.

According to the NHF executive director, with the 2017 World Heart Day theme “Share the Power”, Nigerian Heart Foundation through its programme, National Heart Awareness Programme is willing to promote healthy lifestyles in work places.

“We are indeed pleased to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health, World Health Organisation and other partners to create awareness on the issue of Heart health in work places throughout Nigeria.”

However, this programme will also be used to build core awareness about the high incidence of cardiovascular disease and related issues to reach out to the growing number of the Nigerian population on the need to prevent and control disability and deaths, Akinroye stated.

The Nigerian Heart Foundation is a National Charity inaugurated in 1992, with objectives focused on prevention of heart disease, promotion of research on cardiovascular diseases, heart health promotion, advocacy and action on heart issues. The Nigerian Heart Foundation is affiliated to the World Heart Federation (WHF) in Geneva and a founding member of the African Heart Network (AHN).

Anthonia Obokoh