Health minister says rising non-communicable diseases due to aging and lifestyle changes

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, has highlighted the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), attributing this rise to the effects of aging and changes in people’s lifestyles.

Non-communicable diseases, also referred to as chronic diseases, are ailments that do not spread from person to person, as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The primary categories of NCDs include cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.

Speaking during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Professor Ali Pate emphasized the growing prominence of non-communicable diseases, noting that this trend is influenced by several transitions occurring in Nigeria.

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“Nigeria is going through multiple transitions all at once. It is undergoing a demographic transition with a population that is youthful. At the same time, it’s ageing and the structure of our population is changing gradually,” Professor Pate explained.

“We are having an epidemiological transition whereby the patterns of diseases that we have had for the last several decades are gradually giving way to other new diseases.”

Professor Pate’s comments came in the wake of the unveiling of the Health Ministry’s four-point agenda in Abuja. This agenda aims to enhance the healthcare system’s ability to provide improved healthcare services to Nigerians.

He outlined the ministry’s commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of health governance and reducing political interference, highlighting significant potential for advancements in healthcare services for the Nigerian population