Ignorance, carelessness shoot up non-communicable diseases

The current focus on treatment of infectious diseases including malaria and tuberculosis at the expense of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, regarded by some experts as a silent killer, exposes the country to dangers of a weak productive base.

BusinessDay investigations show that in Nigeria, about 28.9% of the population has raised blood pressure, while about 82% of these are not aware of this disease condition.

According to experts, by 2030 about 39.1 million people aged at least 20 years may live with hypertension if nothing is done to reverse the trend.

The implication, according to them, is that the productive base of the economy will be undermined, considering the high level of involvement of youth affected by the scourge, and who are regarded as the engine of growth of any economy.

However, some experts are commending the Lagos state government for its effort at equipping the recently built Cardial and Renal Centre with modern equipment to tackle the scourge.

Renescor was recently awarded a five-year concession agreement with the Lagos State Government to activate and bring high quality services to the purpose-built Gbagada Cardiac and Renal Centre (CRC) and is partnering with Medtronic to help manage CRC’s Cath-Lab, Operating Room (OR) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Renescor Limited Liability Partnership is a special purpose vehicle registered for the purpose of providing first class End Stage Renal Disease Services and Cardiology Healthcare Services to Lagos State residents and the broader Nigerian population.

This is the first undertaking of its kind by Medtronic IHS Department in Africa, and underscores its vision to address universal healthcare needs.

“Nigeria is in desperate need of efficient Cath-Labs and operating rooms (OR) to treat more patients locally. Lagos currently has only two operational Cath-Labs to serve a population of 16 million and is in critical need of more”, Ladi Awosika,  Chairman of Renescorstated said.

Amam Mbakwem, Associate Professor of medicine, Consultant physician and cardiologist, College of Medicine, University of Lagos said, “The goal of treatment of hypertension is to achieve the maximum reduction in the long term total risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

“To achieve this goal, treatment of all the reversible risk factors which include smoking, dyslipidemia, obesity and diabetes is crucial. Also important is the appropriate management of associated clinical conditions, as well as treatment of the raised blood pressure (BP).”

For Adewale Akinsola, a professor, and Head, Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) Ile-Ife, “hypertension is an important and major global public health problem with high prevalence across the world.  By 2025, about 75% of the world’s hypertensive population will be in developing countries.

“Hypertension is simple to diagnose yet it is not often diagnosed and when diagnosed, it is sub-optimally managed. In Nigeria, it is a leading risk factor for stroke, heart failure and kidney failure”, he said.

Medtronic, the world’s largest medical technology, services, and solutions company,  Renescor, Limited Liability Partnership, have signed a co-operation to bring high quality cardiac care and healthcare managed services to the purpose-built Gbagada Cardiac and Renal Centre (CRC) in Lagos.

It is believed that the collaboration will ensure the hospital is run to the highest global standard of care quality, efficiency, patient safety, and optimised capacity to help more patients be treated.

The agreement, which runs for a term of four years, will see Medtronic Integrated Health Solutions Department partnering with Renescor to assist finance, manage, and optimise services in Cath-Labs, OR and ICU.

The partnership consists of end-to-end management of these units, which includes operational support, staffing and material management, deployment of the latest Cardiovascular Information System, operational excellence Lean/Six sigma consulting services.

It further includes continuous performance assessment and benchmarking services, advising on and implementation of growth programs, as well as training and education services for cardiovascular therapies.

The aim is to transform CRC into a leading regional centre that achieves global standards of care, in line with leading international institutions.

“Our involvement at CRC is a distinctive example of Medtronic’s Integrated Health Solution offerings. We are moving beyond the supply of devices, to deliver healthcare services that would ensure more access to patients in areas where it is currently not readily available.

“The Integrated Health Solution model helps optimise healthcare delivery and drives greater economic value.” Khodor Mekkaoui, Head of Medtronic Integrated Health Solutions for Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and Turkey, stated.

Mekkaoui added: “This important contract presents a unique opportunity for Medtronic to showcase its skills and expand its footprint in Africa, where there is also a great need for investment in healthcare sector, in countries facing a lack of funding and shortage of resources.”

Agreeing with Mekkaoui, Awosika said  “Many issues faced in Nigeria today are similar to those in other African nations. We believe that the Medtronic integrated health solutions can be adapted and customised to other African countries.

“Medtronic’s role and dedication as a partner shows how they are truly dedicated to improving care in African nations, as can also be seen through one aspect of their mission, which is to help in the globalisation of care by addressing inequities in healthcare access and affordability around the world.”

In high-income countries, widespread diagnosis and treatment with low-cost medication have significantly reduced mean blood pressure across populations – and this has contributed to a reduction in deaths from heart disease.

In Africa, however, more than 40% (and up to 50%) of adults in many countries are estimated to have high blood pressure. Most of these people remain undiagnosed, although many of these cases could be treated with low-cost medications, which would significantly reduce the risk of death and disability from heart disease and stroke.

KEMI AJUMOBI