Public strategy and media group dedicated to driving positive change through impactful advocacy and creative storytelling, Gatefield, has revealed that its health summit will address the growing issue of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa.
The conference, tagged “Gatefield Health Summit 2024”, will hold from October 22 to 23,2024, in Abuja.
Social impact, policy and governance advocate at Gatefield, Ms. Ijudaye Shettima made the announcement on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) claim 41 million lives annually, accounting for 71 percent of all global deaths. Over 15 million people aged 30 to 69 die from NCDs each year, with 85 percent of these “premature” deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Additionally, 77 per cent of all NCD-related deaths are concentrated in these regions.
Cardiovascular diseases lead in NCD fatalities, responsible for 17.9 million deaths yearly, followed by cancers (9.3 million), respiratory diseases (4.1 million) and diabetes (1.5 million). These four categories account for over 80 percent of premature NCD deaths. Risk factors, including tobacco use, physical inactivity, harmful alcohol consumption and unhealthy diets, further contribute to the growing NCD burden.
Effective detection, screening, treatment and palliative care are essential to combat these diseases.
Shettima emphasised that the summit will gather global health leaders and advocates to address the escalating NCD crisis in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
“Themed ‘Beyond 65: Preventing the Quiet Epidemic,’ the event will focus on the urgent need for action against NCDs such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer, which now account for over one-third of deaths in the region,” she said.
“NCDs are currently the leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for 74 percent of all fatalities. The summit will tackle critical issues such as fiscal health policies, the rising obesity epidemic, the burden on caregivers and the vital role of primary healthcare in preventing and managing NCDs.”
She added that environmental factors, such as air quality and their impact on public health, will also be key discussion points.
Shettima further revealed that the summit will unveil Gatefield’s new health strategy, aimed at extending life expectancy in Africa by addressing the NCD epidemic through innovative policies and interventions.
“Experts and stakeholders at the summit will explore how Africa can adopt global and localised strategies to enhance NCD prevention and control,” she explained.
The Gatefield Health Summit 2024 is expected to offer a comprehensive roadmap for combating the NCD epidemic in Africa, with a strong focus on sustainable health policies and innovative approaches to improving health outcomes across the continent.
