80th UNGA: President Tinubu Calls for Urgent Global Action on Non-Communicable Diseases, Mental Health
By Onwe Wisdom| Pan Afric Reporters
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has called on world leaders to step up investments and forge stronger partnerships to tackle the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and promote mental health, warning that the challenges threaten productivity, economic stability, and social cohesion, especially across developing nations.
Delivering Nigeria’s national statement at the Fourth High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-Being during the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, President Tinubu—represented by Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako according to a press release e-signed by the ministry’s Head of Information & Public Relations, Alaba Balogun aligned Nigeria with the African Group’s call for urgent global action.
“Particularly troubling is the growing prevalence of NCDs among the young, leading to the loss of productive years and negative economic impacts,” President Tinubu warned, noting that non-communicable diseases now account for nearly 29 percent of all deaths in Nigeria.
The President highlighted key steps Nigeria has taken to curb the crisis, including the establishment of a National NCD Policy, a Multisectoral Action Plan, treatment guidelines, and targeted legislation to address risk factors. He further noted expanded health insurance for catastrophic diseases, strengthened primary health care, and capacity-building initiatives among health professionals.
According to him, “Six cancer centres of excellence have been built and over 14 million adolescent girls—96 percent of the target population—have been immunized against HPV to prevent cervical cancer. Our task-shifting and referral policies have also helped extend services to more people.”
On mental health, Tinubu drew attention to the 2023 Mental Health Act, which provides a framework for promoting mental health, protecting rights, and integrating services into primary care. He also revealed that Nigeria has adopted a suicide prevention strategy centered on decriminalisation, destigmatisation, and support for vulnerable groups.
Despite these strides, the President admitted that the country continues to grapple with “funding gaps, weak infrastructure, and inadequate data collection.” He therefore called for stronger global partnerships to close gaps in access to medicines, technologies, and public health infrastructure.
Tinubu also appealed for more international attention on sickle cell disease, which disproportionately affects Africa.
“Looking forward, Nigeria is committed to strengthening our health systems, prioritizing prevention, and ensuring mental health receives the prominence it deserves within our national agenda,” the President affirmed. “With global solidarity and renewed investments, we can reduce premature mortality from NCDs by 2030 and promote mental health and well-being for all.”
