…appointed policy champion for salt regulations
By Hassan Zaggi
The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Health, Dr Salma Anas- Ibrahim, has insisted that excessive salt intake is injurious to health, especially, high risk of cardiovascular diseases.
She stated this during her investiture as the Policy Champion on Salt Targeted Regulation in an event organized by the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), in Abuja, on Friday.
She disclosed that approximately 38.1 per cent of Nigerian adults suffer from hypertension, translating to one in every three adults.
“This high prevalence, coupled with excessive salt intake—estimated at 10 grams per meal, double the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limit. This contributes to 10 per cent of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the country,” she stressed.
Dr. Salma reiterated the need to adhere to the WHO’s sodium consumption guidelines of less than two grams per meal, which was equivalent to less than one teaspoon of salt.
She further noted that: “The high sodium intake, compounded by rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles, underscores the need for urgent and sustained public health interventions.”
As a policy champion for salt target regulations, the Special Adviser vowed to leverage her platform to raise awareness about the dangers associated with high salt intake and the benefits of reducing it to the recommended level.
She noted that there was the need to engage with all relevant stakeholders across all sectors, including government bodies, health professionals and the private sector in order to implement effective policies and regulations.
She, therefore, expressed commitment to collaborate with social media influencers across the country and other partners to spread vital health information across Nigeria.
She called on all Nigerians to join in the effort to create a healthier nation, contributing to both national and international development goals.
Speaking earlier, the Technical Director, NHED, Dr Jerome Mafeni, said that improving public health in Nigeria was dependent on the ability of Nigerians to reduce salt intake.
“We have made significant progress, but there is still plenty of work left to be done.
“Let us continue to work together to drive change and create a healthier future for our country,” he said.
He noted that reducing excess salt intake, will no doubt, have tremendous positive impact in public health, especially, preventing chronic diseases like heart attack, stroke and kidney diseases.
Dr. Mafeni lamented that excessive salt consumption in Nigeria is a major public health issue, with the population consuming twice the recommended daily average established by the WHO.
He, therefore, advocated for what he described as a multi-faceted approach to address excessive salt consumption, including policy interventions, social media advocacy, and public education.
He acknowledged the progress made through the sodium reduction campaign and the development of national guidelines for sodium reduction.
On his part, Dr Olusina Michael Ajidahun, who was appointed as Social Media Influencer for Salt Target Regulations in Nigeria, noted that the appointment called for more responsibility and service to humanity.
“As a physician, youth, and social media advocate, I am committed to using my platform to raise awareness about the dangers of excessive salt consumption and inspire others to take action to improve their health,” he noted.
According to him, by leveraging the power of social media, a wider audience can be reached and create a movement that makes healthy living accessible to citizens.
“Together, we have the potential to enact meaningful change and improve the lives of millions of Nigerians,” he reiterated.
