Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and key stakeholders has launched the first National Multisectoral Action Plan (NNMSAP) for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) for the country on 06 August, 2019.

Key sectors involved in the development process include Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (international and national), Civil Society Organizations, Research institutes and the Academia. With this development, Nigeria fulfils her commitment made at the 2018 United Nations (UN) High-level meeting on NCDs, where member states, re-committed to fast-track the development of a multisectoral action plan to tackle NCDs.

While communicable diseases remain the primary cause of death in Nigeria, the country is currently facing an increase in the burden of NCDs with premature mortality from NCDs estimated at 22%. According to the 2018 WHO country profile, NCDs accounted for an estimated 29% of all deaths in Nigeria with cardiovascular diseases as the primary cause of NCD-related death (11%) followed by cancers (4%), chronic respiratory diseases (2%) and diabetes (1%). Other NCDs in Nigeria include Sickle Cell Disease, Deafness and Hearing loss, Blindness, Violence and Injury including Road Traffic Crashes, Oral Health including Noma and Disability.

Our objectives for the prevention and control of NCDs are to;

Enhance advocacy and awareness efforts,
Strengthen multisectoral engagement with civil society, private sector, academia while also building accountability,
Support government to develop and enforce legislative, policy and regulatory frameworks critical to respond to NCDs,
Integrate human rights approaches into NCD programming to include social, legal and structural determinants,
Ensure access to NCDs services for key populations, such as migrants, refugees, children, prisoners and people with disabilities, with attention to reducing stigma and discrimination.