By Stellamaries Amuwa, Abuja
Stakeholders in the health sector have expressed worry over life expectancy in Nigeria.
This was made known at the Gatefield Health Summit 2024, themed “Beyond 65,” in Abuja. According to the stakeholders low life expectancy in Nigeria currently stands at 52 years. It was noted that the trend can be improved through significant investment in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevention and care.
Meanwhile, experts at the summit focused on the critical role of fiscal health policies, the growing NCD epidemic, the burden of caring for those living with these diseases, and the importance of the primary healthcare system in NCD prevention and control, among others.They recommended reviewing policies to align with global standards and strengthening primary healthcare centers as the first line of defense against NCDs.
Barry Popkin University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said Africa has a high rate of obesity in Africa particularly in Nigeria but that South Africa has the highest number obesity. “The increase in sugary and high intake of salt in our foods has become very crucial.” He said disease like obesity, strokes , diabetes and others can be prevented.
Popkin stated that good policies have a great role to play in combating non-communicable diseases .
Meanwhile, Nutrition International, Cornell University, Dr Ostia Okonkwo, highlighted that Nigeria now has good interventions and policy programmes that can be sustained.
In nigeria over 12million Nigerians are overweight or obese, the current Sugar-sweetened beverages ( SSBs) in Nigeria stands at 1.67% of retail price which World Health Organization (WHO) recommended minimum of 20%.
Also 4.5billion Naira was spent on NCDs in 2007 and currently
SSB taxes have rise to a minimum of 20%to reduce consumption and save lives .
“ Increasing tax to this rate can generate N729billion ($4718million USD) for health and nutrition interventions. 11.2million are living with diabetes and diabetes directly costs Nigeria $4.5B”.
They said taxes on sugary drinks can improve the health culture and environment by discouraging sugary drink consumption.
“ In the longtime this will prevent type 2 diabetes and other Non-communicable diseases (NDCs) .
During his keynote address, the regional coordinator United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) Saied Tafida, said consumption of health-harming products can be adjusted thruough fiscal policies. He reiterated that higher tax/better tax structure are important, higher retail prices and less harmful consumption. Noting that progressive tax policies, when taking into account brings behavioral change.
Tadifa also called for more collaborations advocacies and data to address the NDCs.
President-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control, Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, highlighted the urgency of healthcare investment in combating non communicable diseases.
Shinkafi-Bagudu, who was represented by Fatima Dambatta, the former First Lady of Kebbi State, emphasized the role of policy in addressing the NCD crisis. She maintained that policies are made by people and to influence policy, “we need to present strong arguments.
“Once we do that, we can start seeing the changes we need”.
Similarly, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum, Oyebanji Filani, stated the need for increased healthcare investment.
While, the former Executive Vice-Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Babatunde Irukera noted the importance of both physical and human infrastructure in tackling NCDs.
Irukera said, “a robust policy and structure must combine both physical facilities and trained human capital who understand their roles as caregivers, ensuring accountability. While there is progress, the effort is not sufficient. We must move beyond budgetary allocations and adopt a strategic approach to prioritizing NCDs and holding all stakeholders accountable.
“A stronger accountability framework is needed for these industries, not only from an advocacy standpoint but also from a consumer protection and taxation perspective. “Taxation serves two purposes: reducing harmful consumption and raising revenue that can be used to fight NCDs. Losing people before 65 is not just a loss to their families but to society and the economy. We must focus on keeping people healthy and productive for long”.
Adewunmi Emoruwa, the Lead Strategist at Gatefield, outlined the organization’s strategies for addressing NCDs in Nigeria.
While stressing that NCDs, which account for 30% of deaths in Nigeria, can no longer be ignored, he said, “NCDs cause over 684,000 deaths annually in Nigeria, wiping out the equivalent of the population of Luxembourg each year.”
He pointed to unhealthy diets, alcohol and tobacco use, and environmental pollution as key contributors to the rise of NCDs in Nigeria.
Also, the Lead Strategist at Gatefield, Adewunmi Emoruwa, spoke on the organization’s strategies in addressing NCDs in Nigeria. While stressing that NCDs, which account for 30% of deaths in Nigeria, can no longer be ignored.
He said, “NCDs cause over 684,000 deaths annually in Nigeria, wiping out the equivalent of the population of Luxembourg each year.”
He pointed to unhealthy diets, alcohol and tobacco use, and environmental pollution as key contributors to the rise of NCDs in Nigeria.
