The Nigerian government is accelerating the drive to halt rising burden of severe non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country and across the African continent.
The country’s Minister of State for Health, emphasized the urgency of addressing severe NCDs : Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Sickle Cell Disease and, Rheumatic Heart Disease through the PEN-Plus strategy, an initiative supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) to improve access to life-saving care at the first referral level of care.
“Africa must rise to tackle the NCD burden not just as a health issue, but as a matter of human security, economic progress, and sustainable development,” Dr. Salako said, at the 2nd International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa (ICPPA 2025) holding in Abuja, from July 8 to 10, 2025.
He said the strategy is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes health as a human right.
“Let us be part of history by saving this generation and generations unborn from the financially devastating, emotionally traumatizing, and physically agonizing effects of these severe NCDs in our dear continent of Africa”, Dr. Salako stated.
According to the Minister, NCDs account for 24–30% of deaths in Nigeria, disproportionately affecting people in their most productive years, with the government responding with policy actions including the National Policy and Strategic Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of NCDs, task-shifting policies, and the Nigeria Essential Package of NCDs (N-PEN) at the primary healthcare level.
The Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Health Ministry reaffirmed the government’s commitments to reducing the impact of NCDs, particularly amongst children and adolescents.
Daju Kachallom mni; represented by Pharmacist Olubunmi Aribeana Director Food & Drugs Services Department of the Ministry, said “every child with Type 1 Diabetes deserves insulin. Every adolescent with Sickle Cell Disease deserves comprehensive care. Every rural clinic must be empowered to manage complex NCDs”.
She commended the World Health Organisation (WHO), African CDC, UNICEF, and other development partners, while acknowledging that severe NCDs remain an often-neglected area in many health systems.
Prof. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, praised Nigeria for its bold leadership in the fight against NCDs, referencing the 2019 launch of the national multisectoral action plan and subsequent implementation of key strategies to strengthen health systems.
“Across Africa, the burden of severe NCDs is rising. Without treatment, these conditions are lifelong and often deadly,” he warned, while speaking virtually.
Janabi acknowledged support from partners like the Leona M. and Harry B. Hemsley Charitable Trust and the NCDI Poverty Network, 20 African countries have now expanded PEN-Plus services, benefiting over 15,000 patients. He cited Malawi as an example where six secondary-level facilities are offering PEN-Plus care and over 440 health workers have been trained.
“We must scale PEN-Plus to all 47 member states by investing in local health workers and ensuring that care is accessible to those who need it most,” he urged.