Non Communicable Diseases( NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, have been described as the combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behaviours factors which are responsible for the loss of lives of over 41 million people annually, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally.
This revelation was given by Prof Ikechi Okpechi of the Division of Hypertension and Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town,South Africa in his lecture titled " Cutting edge research in Non- Communicable Disease in Low and Medium Income Countries: Raising the Bar" at a special guest lecture and book presentation in celebration of the 60th birthday of Professor of Nephrology at the College of Medicine, University College Hospital (UCH) and the current Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba Lagos, Professor Babatunde Lawal Salako, held at Emeritus Professor T.O. Ogunlesi Multipurpose Hall, UCH, Ibadan.
Prof. Okpechi said each year, 15 million people died from a NCD between the ages of 30 and 69 years and over 85% of these "premature" deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, adding that,
Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.0 million), respiratory diseases (3.9million), and diabetes (1.6 million).
The lecturer, stated that physician immigration from Sub- Saharan Africa to USA and Europe, inadequate funding, limitation in investing in health research and development among others were factors responsible for the poor health system in Nigeria.
While pouring encomiums on the celebrant, the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said the lecture was an eye opener to the challenges in the health sector, implementation of health policies and also how to develop the health sector in our country.
" In Ogun State, the present administration inherited a very poor health sector and the government of Prince Dapo Abiodun has pledged to make sure that the state have a good significant improvement in the sector in order to provide good health care to the masses.
" This we are looking at through improving the primary health care system as the state is also working on specialised health care centres as well as put in place improved training programmes for medical personnel" she stated.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occassion and a former Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, gave accolades to the celebrant and urged him not to relent in his service to humanity, calling him to use the occasion to drum more support for the University College Hospital , while also advising people not to spend more hours sitting for longer hours as this makes them to be inactive. He also attributed the numerous feats of the celebrant as the manifestation of God's grace upon his life.
In his goodwill message, the Olota of Ota, HRM Oba Abdukabir Adeyemi Obalanlege, described the celebrant as his role model who mentored him while growing up in the art of diligence and hardwork, adding that his immense contributions to the welfare of his people and the world at large cannot be over emphasized
In his address the celebrant, Professor Babatunde Salako, appreciated everyone for their support, noting that his experience in government has taught him that government alone cannot provide the wherewithal, thereby calling on well meaning individuals to support government's efforts in revamping the health sector.
"I want to donate the sum of N2 million to medical student department, N100,000 each to overall best student in medical examination. Also on behalf of Sarat Awele Salako and children, I donate N3 million to the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan , to improve infrastructure within the department while N1million should be set aside to equip the library" he said
Other Dignitaries who graced the event included the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan and his wife, Dr. Bolade Olaniyan , Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu who presented the book " An Encounter with BLS: Tributes and Autobiography of an Icon at 60", Prof. Jesse Otegbayo , Head, Department of Medicine , University of Ibadan, Prof. Solomon Kadiri,Renal Unit UCH, family members, colleagues, associates and mentees of the celebrant .
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