Nigeria to lose N1.2trn to stroke, diabetes, others - Minister

THE Minister of Health, Professor Christian Onyebuchi Chukwu has said that Nigeria will lose an estimated N1.27 trillion as economic losses to noncommunicable diseases such as stroke, diabetes and heart diseases in the next 10 years if drastic measures are not put in place to stop the trend.

Speaking during a programme Organised by the Nigeria Stroke Assembly to celebrate the world stroke day, Chukwu noted that in recent times there has been an alarming increase in the cases of stroke across different parts of the country.

While quoting from WHO’s statistics on stroke in Nigeria, the minister said that as at 2005, the economic loss to the country from stroke, heart disease and diabetes alone was estimated at $ 400 million ( around N63.5 billion).

He explained that stroke is a major cause of neurological admissions in Nigeria with a high mortality of 40- 50 per cent within the first three months of diagnosis.

“A facility- based study showed that 39 per cent of those who survived stroke after three months died within 12 months and the remaining 12 per cent developed severe disability,” he added.

Chukwu said that to illustrate government’s commitment to the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, President Goodluck Jonathan flagged off the National Stroke Prevention Programme on November 9, which he explained is aimed at encouraging Nigerians to routinely carry out medical check- ups as well as modify their lifestyles.

He said: “To cushion the burden of diabetes on the patients and their families, the 56 hospitals under the government will offer free insulin to help in the treatment process”.

Earlier in her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, Stroke Action UK and Nigeria, Ambassadors, Rita Melifonwu, said that 195,000 persons lose their lives to stroke, adding that unfortunately many health practitioners in the country need training on stroke management, especially doctors not adequately trained to do that.

“We need a multi faceted medical team approach to stroke care; a team that has a nurse, a doctor, a therapist and so on. That is why people still die in the hospital.”

Melifonwu urged Nigerians to go for screening to see if they have stroke risk factors.

“For example, does the person suffer from hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol level, sickle cell, over weight? We need to know these as stroke risk factors and knowing them will help to modify your lifestyle.”