President Bola Ahmed Tinubu weekend urged world leaders to scale up investments and partnerships in tackling the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and promote mental health, warning that the challenges threaten productivity, economic stability, and social cohesion across developing nations.

Delivering Nigeria’s national statement at the Fourth High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-Being during the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Tinubu who was represented by Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said Nigeria aligns with the African Group’s position on the urgent need for accelerated global action.

“Particularly troubling is the growing prevalence of NCDs among the young, leading to the loss of productive years and negative economic impacts,” the president said.

He noted that NCDs now account for nearly 29% of all deaths in Nigeria.

Highlighting Nigeria’s efforts, the president outlined the establishment of a National NCD Policy, a Multisectoral Action Plan, prevention and treatment guidelines, introduced targeted laws to address key factors, expanded health insurance for catastrophic diseases, built capacity among health professionals and, the strengthening of primary health care. 

He stated that six cancer centres of excellence have been built and over 14 million adolescent girls, 96% of the target population, have been immunised against HPV to prevent cervical cancer.

“Our task-shifting and referral policies have also helped extend services to more people,” the president further affirmed.