TONY ADAMS reports that the Kaduna State government is initiating a free screening program for non-communicable diseases for its residents.
The saying “health is wealth” often goes unappreciated by many who are in good health, as they may not grasp the significance of those three words. Some individuals, despite being healthy, tend to complain about financial struggles or other life challenges. It is only when they visit hospitals that they realize how “wealthy” they truly are, even if they have no money in their pockets or millions in their bank accounts.
While illnesses can strike anyone at any time, there are proactive measures that can be taken to prevent them. There is plenty of advice available on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, whether through diet or other practices. However, one crucial step toward achieving good health is understanding one’s vital signs. In modern medical terminology, this means being aware of one’s health metrics. The Kaduna State government aims to provide its residents with this essential information through a free screening for non-communicable diseases.
With this initiative, residents of Kaduna will gain insight into their health status regarding Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. According to a statement from the state’s Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Umma K Ahmed, over half a million residents are expected to benefit from the screening program. Dubbed “Project 10 Million – Know Your Number, Control Your Number,” the screening is targeted at adults aged 18 and older and will take place across the three senatorial zones of the state.
In Zone One, screenings will occur in the local governments of Zaria, Sabon Gari, Makarfi, and Soba; in Zone Two, it will take place in Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Chikun, and Igabi; while in Zone Three, the locations include Jemaá, Kachia, Zangon Kataf, and Kaura.
“NCDs like hypertension and diabetes present significant health challenges, accounting for approximately 27% of all annual deaths in Nigeria, which totals around 447,800,” Hajiya Umma emphasized, underscoring the importance of early detection.
She noted that the free screening aligns with the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum’s (NHCF) national initiative to combat the increasing prevalence of NCDs, particularly hypertension and diabetes, in Nigeria. Designated locations for the screenings include Primary Health Care centers, General Hospitals, markets, motor parks, and higher education institutions in the selected local government areas, as well as the State and Federal Secretariats, Government House, State House, Ministry of Health, and the Primary Health Care Board. This campaign aims to reach both urban and rural populations, with a particular focus on underserved communities to ensure equitable access to free screening and treatment services. The initiative seeks to raise public awareness, enhance data collection, and encourage collaboration among various healthcare stakeholders to improve overall health outcomes.
The unfortunate reality is that many individuals neglect to check their vital signs, often unaware of underlying health issues that require attention. Non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes are prime examples of this oversight. The screening initiative will facilitate early detection of those affected by these conditions, enabling them to pursue timely treatment, which is always the best course of action for any illness. After all, only what is known can be treated.
“The likelihood of dying from these conditions between the ages of 30 and 70 is estimated at 17%, highlighting the urgent need for intervention,” stated the Commissioner of Health.
“Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for the majority of NCD-related deaths, totaling 17.9 million annually, followed by cancers (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (2.0 million, including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes). Together, these four categories account for over 80% of all premature NCD deaths. Risk factors such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, and air pollution significantly increase the likelihood of dying from an NCD.”
Following the screenings, Umma noted that health officials would provide immediate counseling and referrals for individuals with abnormal results. This commendable initiative should be emulated by other state governments, including the federal government.
In addition to the direct benefits of monitoring residents’ vitals concerning NCDs, the free screenings will also support governance. This initiative will serve as a vital data source for healthcare planning in the state, helping the administration strategize effectively. In a society that often lacks data, this is a crucial step forward. Ultimately, it may even reduce healthcare costs for the government. The commissioner emphasized that the exercise will “enhance data collection on the prevalence of NCDs to inform health policies and planning, prioritizing underserved communities to ensure healthcare equity.”
While the challenges facing many states exceed their available resources, it is noteworthy that Kaduna, under the leadership of Senator Uba Sani, has managed to deliver democratic benefits across various sectors. He has made significant strides in agriculture, recognizing it as the state’s primary revenue source, and is leveraging education, technology, and entrepreneurship to improve the lives of residents. Additionally, he is developing the mining sector, a new frontier where Nigeria is taking the lead, and where the state possesses abundant natural resources. The health sector is also making progress.
The Sani administration’s efforts in healthcare have been commendable. In September, the state government announced plans to reconstruct nine general hospitals that had been neglected. According to a statement from Dr. Ahmed Abdullahi, the Acting Special Adviser to Governor Sani on Project Monitoring, Implementation, and Results Delivery, “This ambitious initiative has carefully selected three general hospitals from each Senatorial Zone to benefit equitably from the upgrades.”
The hospitals earmarked for this essential project are as follows:
- Zone 1: General Hospital Ikara, General Hospital Maigana (Soba LGA), General Hospital Saminaka (Lere LGA)
- Zone 2: General Hospital Rigasa (Igabi LGA), General Hospital Giwa (Giwa LGA), General Hospital Sabon Tasha (Chikun LGA), General Hospital Gwantu (Sanga LGA), Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa Hospital (Kafanchan, Jema’a LGA), General Hospital Kachia (Kachia LGA)
Some of these hospitals had been left to deteriorate for nearly 20 years, raising concerns about how Kaduna residents accessed healthcare during that time.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a doctor/patient ratio of 1:600; however, a February 2024 report by The Lancet Medical journal indicates that Nigeria has a doctor/patient ratio of 1:9083. This alarming statistic underscores the reality that many Nigerians do not see a doctor regularly, and those who do are often overwhelmed by high patient volumes.
Thus, while it may seem like a basic initiative, this exercise…
