From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Minister of state for health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has advised Nigerians to avoid tobacco use, exposure to second-hand smoke, as well as harmful intake of alcohol in order to protect the heart.
The Minister told journalists at a press conference in Abuja, to herald the 2023 World Heart Day with the theme “Use Heart, Know Heart” that cardiovascular diseases was responsible for 11 per cent of all the Non-communicable Disease (NCD) deaths as contained in the 2018 WHO NCDs Country Profile, and the risk of dying prematurely from NCDs in Nigeria is 22 per cent.
He, thus advocated increased physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes daily. “Some physical activity options include using the stairs instead of the elevator, trekking instead of taking the bus for short distances, standing up from your seat intermittently to stretch your body. Physical activity relieves stress, keeps you fit, and controls body weight.
“Eat a healthy diet containing a minimum of 3-5 servings of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables spread over each day. In addition, eat a variety of whole grains, lean meat, fish, peas, beans, and lentils. Limit processed foods, limit salt intake to less than 5 grams (1 teaspoon) daily, reduce dietary cholesterol, and avoid industrially produced trans-fats.
“Know your numbers by regularly checking your blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels.”
The Minister, however, added that the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 and Regulations 2019 are being implemented to reduce tobacco consumption and exposure to second-hand smoke in Nigeria.
He said that in collaboration with NAFDAC, the Fats and Oil Regulations has been reviewed and gazetted to incorporate trans-fatty acid (TFA) which prescribed that TFA at less than 2g per 100g of oil or fat as a start of transition to a total elimination of TFA by 2030. “All these are known risk factors for heart disease.
“In recognition of the key role of Primary Health Care (PHC) in the prevention and early detection of diseases, Federal ministry of health in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), WHO Country Office, and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), launched the National Hypertension Control Initiative (NHCI) in August 2019 with focus on strengthening the PHC centres to prevent and manage simple and uncomplicated hypertension using a simple standard treatment protocol.”