NCDs fast outpacing communicable 7777 diseases – WHO

World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, said that Non-communicable Diseases are fast outpacing communicable 7777 diseases in Nigeria.

Alemu said this in Abuja on Tuesday at the 2021 International Cancer week commemoration, with the theme “Cancer care for all: through strategic advocacy and investment”.

“Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) are fast outpacing communicable 7777 diseases.

“Current data estimates that one out of every three Nigerian is dying from a form of NCDs,” he said.

Alemu said that the need exists for more strategic investment in cancer prevention and care, to avoid further catastrophic financial hardship on the populace.

He said that cancer was the second (after cardiovascular diseases) leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020.

According to him, breast cancer is the commonest cancer in women and prostate cancer in men.

Alemu said that in 2020, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 685 000 deaths globally.

“Here in Nigeria, breast cancer is also the commonest cancer followed by cervical cancer in women with estimated 26 per 100,000 population new cases occurring every year.

“In recent times, we are having different groups, coming up to support the fight against cancer,” he said.

Alemu commended the strong leadership and coordination by government at national and state levels; and involvement of First Ladies in promoting awareness, screening and treatment of cancers.

He also commended the current drive by government to revitalize Primary Health Centres which can be used to scale up screening and treatment of NCDs, including breast and cervical cancer.

According to him, WHO is providing technical assistance to the government in strengthening the prevention and control of NCDs, including cancer in the country.

“Our support is in evidence generation and use for the development of key policies, strategic plans, guidelines and SOPs

“Others are supporting advocacies and coordination; capacity building of health workers and their facilities to deliver NCDs services in key states; currently,’’ he said.

According to him, WHO is working with the wives of Niger, Kebbi and Ondo states in collaboration with Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) on cervical cancer screening.

“This is part of WHO’s effort to ensure that Nigeria joins the rest of the world on the WHO Global cervical cancer elimination agenda.”

WHO is also supporting the Federal Ministry of Health to conduct a national Survey on the prevalence and risk factors of NCDs (NCD STEPS Survey) and prevalence of tobacco use.

“This survey will give latest data on NCDs and their risk factors for evidence-based interventions to curb the modifiable risk factors of cancers,” Alemu said.