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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED) has joined the global community to mark World Heart Day 2025 with a call for urgent action to protect cardio health system in Nigeria.
NHED said this year’s theme, “Don’t Miss a Beat”, reminds everyone that every heartbeat is precious, and that timely action can prevent needless loss of life from cardiovascular diseases which is one of the world’s leading cause of death, claiming over 20 million lives each year.
NHED observed that in Nigeria, the rising rate of high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease is alarming, and could be linked to unhealthy diets, excess salt consumption, tobacco use, alcohol and physical inactivity, adding that most cases are preventable through healthier lifestyles and stronger food policies.
Dr Jerome Mafeni, Technical Advisor, NHED, in a statement on Monday, said, “Every heartbeat matters. Nigerians can not afford to miss the opportunity to protect their hearts. By eating fresh foods, reducing salt, and choosing healthier options, we save lives. But individual effort is not enough. Government action on sodium reduction and clear front-of-pack warning labels is critical to protecting millions
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“As part of this year’s World Heart Day, we reaffirm the call and support for stronger government action on regulating the food environment for healthier diets and protecting consumer rights through appropriate food labelling regulations, including sodium reduction and front-of-pack warning labels; engaging the media and public through digital campaigns, using shareable content to promote awareness of heart health, healthy diets and food policies that save lives.”
He stressed that policies save lives, adding that clear warning labels on packaged foods empower Nigerians to make informed choices, while sodium reduction programmes can lower blood pressure and prevent thousands of deaths every year. “Together, we can protect the hearts of Nigerians.”
NHED, however, reaffirmed commitment to advancing health equity through policy advocacy, research, and partnerships. We lead national coalitions promoting healthier food environments and work with stakeholders to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, strengthen epidemic preparedness, and promote sustainable public health systems,” it added.
