The World Health Organization(WHO) has confirmed a report that Non-Communicable Diseases (NDCs) kill more than 41 million people yearly equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally.
The report confirmed that each year, more than 15 million people die from an NCD between the ages of 30 and 69 years; 85% of these “premature” deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Seventy-seven per cent of all NCD deaths are in low- and middle-income countries.
The WHO Country Representative, Dr Walter Kazadi, pointed out that, globally, the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) has been growing due to a lack of physical activities.
Kazadi gave this hint during the third edition of the walk the talk: The Health for All Challenge” organized by the World Health Organization Nigeria office in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, partners and the public.
He noted that today, we are here to create awareness for people to engage in physical activities. To bring everybody to know about NCDs and their effect.
“Globally, the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and chronic diseases are growing due to lack of physical activities.
“We do it once a year on the side to kick off World Health Assembly. Health Assembly that is starting tomorrow. We want to add our contribution to that global campaign for everyone to become active as part of our effort to beat NCDs.
“This is what we should be doing every day for at least half an hour if we are to beat NCD,” he said.
It is worthy of note that, Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.
The main types of NCD are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.
NCDs disproportionately affect people in low- and middle-income countries where more than three-quarters of global NCD deaths 31.4 million occur.
Detection, screening and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are key components of the response to NCDs.