10% of cardiovascular fatalities in Nigeria are due to increased salt intake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Salma Anas-Kolo Ibrahim, Special Adviser to the President on Health, has called for immediate action to address Nigeria’s growing hypertension and excessive salt consumption problem.

Ibrahim announced on Friday during the investiture event for herself and Dr Olusina Ajidahun as Policy Champions and Social Media Influencers for Salt Target Regulations in Nigeria. The ceremony was organized by the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED).

As the newly appointed policy champion, Ibrahim emphasized the importance of public education and policy action in combating cardiovascular illnesses, which were putting a significant strain on the country’s healthcare system.

She cited worrisome figures, stating that around 38.1% of Nigerian adults suffer from hypertension, accounting for one in every three adults. “Given the great incidence combined with excessive salt intake, estimated at 10 grams every meal, which is double the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limit.

“It contributes to 10% of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the country,” she told me.

She emphasized the necessity of staying under the WHO’s sodium consumption guidelines of fewer than two grams every meal, which is equivalent to less than one teaspoon of salt. She emphasized that contemporary dietary practices, which rely significantly on salt in both homemade and processed meals, exacerbate the problem.

“The high sodium intake, compounded by rapid urbanisation and changing lifestyles, underscores the need for urgent and sustained public health interventions,” she tweeted.

As the Policy Champion for salt target legislation, Ibrahim announced her willingness to use her platform to increase

Awareness of the hazards connected with excessive salt consumption and the advantages of lowering it.

She believes that effective laws and regulations require collaboration with stakeholders from multiple sectors, including government authorities, health professionals, and the commercial sector.

The Special Adviser also announced the launch of the “Peabody Youth Campaign for Health,” which will educate and mobilize young people to advocate for healthier eating habits. She promised to work with social media influencers and other partners to promote important health information throughout Nigeria.

Dr. Jerome Mafeni, NHED’s Technical Director, stated that lowering salt intake was critical to improving Nigerian public health.

“We have made considerable progress, but there is still plenty of work remaining to do. he stated.

Ms. Joy Amafah, Nigeria Coordinator for the Food & Nutritional Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), emphasized salt reduction as a great practice in public health. Amafah referenced South Africa’s successful policies and said that Nigeria might lead similar initiatives in West Africa.

Batet Musa, Nutrition Policy Advisor at Resolve to Save Lives, applauded the idea to select a Policy Champion and a Social Media Influencer. Musa emphasized the value of joint efforts and lobbying in public health.

Dr Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), emphasized the need for preventive initiatives in public health. He emphasized CAPPA’s broad involvement in health-related issues and the significance of a shift toward preventative measures.

During his acceptance In his address, Ajidahun, the newly named Social Media Influencer, pledged to use his platform to raise awareness about the consequences of excessive salt consumption and inspire better living.

Dr. Aminu Yakubu, Technical Assistant at the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Health, emphasized the government’s commitment to preventing noncommunicable illnesses.

Mafeni urged continuing collaboration to promote change and create a healthy future, highlighting the need for statutory salt reduction objectives and social media campaigning.

He emphasized the importance of the Special Adviser’s role in encouraging healthy lifestyles and lowering NCD rates.

“The initiative to set salt reduction targets is presented as a vital step in controlling these diseases and improving public health,” Yakubu told reporters.