Stroke: FG alerts Nigerians on sedentary, risky lifestyles as threatening factors

Isaac Adewole, the Minister of Health has decried the rate at which Nigerians are coming dow n with stroke which he largely attributed to a result of rapid globalization and urbanisation, in addition to sedentary lifestyle. He also expressed concerns on people’s new lifestyles and risky behaviours such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, drug abuse, increased patronage of fast food outlets and sedentary life styles leading to obesity. R e p re s e n t e d b y t h e Ministry’s Chief Epediomologist, Sani Gwarzo, the Minister gave this warning in Abuja at the 5th Nigeria Stroke Assembly. The Minister in a statement said such unhealthy behaviours predispose one to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and stroke adding that the disease contributes significantly to adult morbidity and mortality as a result imposing a heavy socio-economic burden on individuals, societies and the entire health system. He stressed that stroke affects the highly productive populations, aggravating poverty and amplifying social inequality hinting Stroke: FG alerts Nigerians on sedentary, risky lifestyles as threatening factors Oyo primary healthcare delivery system needs revitalisation – Ex NMA Chairman Former Oyo State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Muideen Olatunji has called for the revitalisation of the state primary health care delivery system.

Olatunji who is the Oyo NMA immediate past Chairman pointed out that to achieve this, there was the need for members of the State House of Assembly to consider quick passage of the state primary health care development board bill to enhance the much needed revitalization of the state primary health care delivery system. Speaking at the retreat organised by Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) in collaboration with Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON), were principal officers of the house including members of various committee on Health, Women and Finance and HARRISON EDEH, Abuja that the estimated mortality from stroke in Nigeria is 40-50% within the first 3 months of diagnostics. Adewole pointed out that a facility-based study showed that 39% of those who survived stroke after 3 months died within 12 months and 12% developed severe disability. He reaffirmed that it was in recognition of the nature, magnitude and severity of NCDs including stroke and challenges posed by these diseases that the Federal Ministry of Health established the NCDs control programme in 1989 with the mandate to serve as the arrow head of the response to NCDs in Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Health, he said had been able to carry out some strategic programmes to mitigate the adverse effects of the major NCDs including stroke in Nigeria. While assuring that Government would continue to show full commitment to the management of stroke and NCDs in Nigeria, he said that there was need to synergize efforts in reducing the incidence of stroke and improve the management and care for people with stroke. He however urged development partners, the private sector, Pharmaceutical Industries, Civil Society Organisations, the Media, traditional, religious and opinion leaders to work hand in hand in supporting the Government for the successful prevention and management of stroke and other NCDs in Nigeria. He allayed fear that though the disease is preventable and treatable, he said there was need for increased awareness on the disease.

Speaking at the retreat organised by Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) in collaboration with Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON), were principal officers of the house including members of various committee on Health, Women and Finance and HARRISON EDEH, Abuja that the estimated mortality from stroke in Nigeria is 40-50% within the first 3 months of diagnostics. Adewole pointed out that a facility-based study showed that 39% of those who survived stroke after 3 months died within 12 months and 12% developed severe disability. He reaffirmed that it was in recognition of the nature, magnitude and severity of NCDs including stroke and challenges posed by these diseases that the Federal Ministry of Health established the NCDs control programme in 1989 with the mandate to serve as the arrow head of the response to NCDs in Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Health, he said had been able to carry out some strategic programmes to mitigate the adverse effects of the major NCDs including stroke in Nigeria. While assuring that Government would continue to show full commitment to the management of stroke and NCDs in Nigeria, he said that there was need to synergize efforts in reducing the incidence of stroke and improve the management and care for people with stroke. He however urged development partners, the private sector, Pharmaceutical Industries, Civil Society Organisations, the Media, traditional, religious and opinion leaders to work hand in hand in supporting the Government for the successful prevention and management of stroke and other NCDs in Nigeria. He allayed fear that though the disease is preventable and treatable, he said there was need for increased awareness on the disease.