Health Professionals Warn Of Danger Of Non-Communicable Diseases

There is a looming danger in Nigeria’s healthcare sector and this is due to the onslaught of non-communicable diseases.

The warning comes from the country’s health professionals, who also advise the government to urgently develop a coordinated national response to the challenge.

They made their submission at the 7th Annual International Conference of the Nigerian Association of Foreign Trained Pharmacists, NAFTRAPH, with the theme: “Non-Communicable Diseases in a Post-Pandemic World: Nigeria’s Perspective and How to Mitigate Disease Ramifications”

Underscoring the threat posed by non-communicable diseases in the country, the President of NAFTRAPH, Dr. John Ejezie, said only a unified approach by health professionals would be enough to stem the onslaught.

“Pharmacists are accessible, trusted, and close to the people.

“They can detect early symptoms, provide counselling, and refer severe cases for further treatment. That’s how we save lives”, he stated.

The pharmacists’ president stated that the association was committed to improving public health services delivery in the country through such strategies as training, research, and global collaborations.

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“Non-communicable diseases are silently killing our people. The government must act fast”, stated the Chief Executive Officer of Eralmed Medical Group and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Dr. Nelson Aluya.

He added: “We need collaboration between the public and private sectors, the diaspora, and research institutions to strengthen healthcare capacity”,

Dr Aluya who submitted that NCDs now posed one of the biggest threats to Nigeria’s healthcare system, having risen between 20 and 32 per cent in recent years, urged the Federal Government to invest in health technology to stem the challenge.

He advised on the need to mount a national electronic medical records (EMR) system to enhance communication between hospitals and reduce medication errors.

“If a doctor in Zamfara prescribes a drug, a doctor in Lagos should be able to see it. That’s how to build a transparent and efficient health system,” he added.