Nigeria has requested greater action on non -communicable diseases (ENT) in Africa, citing the growing burden of these diseases in the socioeconomic development of the continent.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the call in Abuja on Tuesday, while pronouncing an opening speech at the 2nd International Conference on Pen-Plus in Africa (ICPPA 2025).
The conference, with the theme “Advanced Pen-Plus implementation for NCDs severe in Africa: technical innovations, operational ideas and scalable solutions”, brought together the policy formulators, global and regional experts, donors, development partners, representatives of the private sector and focal points of NCDs of the Ministries of Health in Africa.
Pen-Plus is the WHO package of interventions or essential treatments of NCDS, designed to provide quality care to people with NCD at the primary health level.
While talking more, the minister expressed concerns that EVs are in the trajectory to overcome communicable, maternal, neonatal and nutritional diseases as the main cause of mortality in Africa by 2030, which describes it as a circumstance that all interested parties need to work hard and together to deviate.
In Nigeria, they represent 24-30% of deaths, with a substantial part of these deaths that occur in the age group of 30 to 69 years. The country has been responding to this growing challenge through policy development, strategic planning and integrated medical care initiatives.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), is working to pilot the implementation of the essential intervention package of NCDS Plus (PEN-PLUS), focusing on children and young adults to improve access and quality of care for type I diabetes, heart disease and falciform cell disease to the first derivation of health.
Salako asked the conference to take the opportunity to strengthen the implementation of the PEN-PLUS strategy, improve financing and investment for the prevention and control of NCDS, and improve access to the attention of Ent Seveos.
“Be part of the story by saving this generation and generations not born of the financially devastating effects, emotionally traumatic and physically agonizing of these severe 3 NCDs in our beloved continent of Africa,” Salako urged.
The interim director of transmissible and non -communicable diseases in the WHO regional office, Dr. Akpaka Kalu, in his comments, spoke about the importance of addressing noncommunicable diseases (NCD) in Africa.
He said: “We bring this conference to Africa, Nigeria, especially in Nigeria, because Nigeria has the greatest number of cases, given its population. It is time to deal with the problem of type 1 diabetes in Africa, it is time to deal with rheumatic heart disease and other heart disease in Africa.”
Kalu said that early detection and the provision of services close to where people live and work are crucial.
“Early detection is the answer. And, of course, changes in lifestyle are needed. More appropriately, properly eat, exercise and be sure to monitor your blood pressure, perform your medical controls to make sure that if you are sick, it is detected early.”
The Pen-Plus initiative aims to bring specialized services for noncommunicable diseases in Africa to the first level of the reference installation, which makes quality care more accessible to those in need.
“You can obtain appropriate and quality care for noncommunicable diseases at the best reference level, the primary health level. That is the only way to save lives.”
Kalu said that the achievements of the Pen-Plus initiative are not necessary according to the instruction, on the other hand: 20 countries in Africa are implementing the Pen Plus program with the support of Hemsley Charitable Trust.
“They are providing services to people at the lowest level, managing the conditions that were considered impossible before successful, through the change of tasks, the training of nurses, training of doctors, training all health workers to administer cases based on this care package, the Pen-more.”
The regional director of the WHO, Prof. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, in his comments, said Nigeria, has taken bold measures in the fight against noncommunicable diseases, since the launch in 2019 of the first National Multisectoral Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of the ETC to the implementation of key policies that bring people closer to the most vulnerable people.
Janabi pointed out that the burden of EV severos is increasing in Africa, including diabetes, hypertension, chronic respiratory diseases and heart conditions. “Without treatment, these conditions are often mortal for life.”
He said that two years ago, the Pen-Plus regional strategy was supported. “Thanks to the generous support of Hemsley Charitable Trust and the collaboration of the NCDI poverty network, 20 countries have now expanded access to care. More than 15,000 patients are receiving treatment.”
Janabi cited Malawi's example, where secondary reference facilities are providing services and more than 440 doctors and nurses have been trained. “This shows that with national leadership, regional cooperation and solid association, it is possible.”
Janabi said you have to do more. “Millions throughout our region continue to face severe NCDS without access to essential attention. We need to climb the pen to the 47 member states investing in local health workers and ensuring that care is accessible to those who need it most.”
Janabi expressed his gratitude to the government and the people of Nigeria for organizing the important meeting.
“I also want to congratulate the Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and his team for his commitment to advance in equitable access to medical care,” said Janabi.
He said that the conference is a vital opportunity to share experiences, generate impulse and expand what works. “Together, we can close the gap. Together, we can comply with the promise of health for all.”
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