On Friday, the Federal Government introduced the Cardiac Emergency Response Box, also known as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), designed to address heart-related emergencies, including cardiac arrests. The inauguration of these three devices took place in Abuja as part of the observance of the 2023 World Heart Day, themed “Use Heart, Know Heart.”
World Heart Day is a global event observed by the Cardiovascular Health Community to raise awareness about the significance of heart health and promote preventive measures to reduce the global impact and burden of heart diseases.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, presided over the event and was represented by the Minister of State, Dr. Tunji Alausa. Pate highlighted that these AEDs, donated by the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), would be strategically placed in high-population areas like airports. AEDs are portable, life-saving medical devices used to revive individuals experiencing sudden heart arrests.
Pate emphasized the importance of safeguarding the heart, which serves as a vital organ responsible for pumping life-sustaining blood throughout the body. Protecting the heart from diseases and conditions that can disrupt its function is crucial for overall well-being.
“Statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the leading Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and are the foremost cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year.
“Of these cardiovascular deaths, 85 percent are due to heart attack and stroke, and over three-quarters occur in low- and middle-income countries.
“The 2018 WHO NCDs Country Profiles show that NCDs accounted for 29 percent of all deaths in Nigeria, with CVDs responsible for 11 percent of all the NCD deaths.
“The country profile also shows that the risk of dying prematurely from NCDs in Nigeria is 22 percent.
“Premature mortality in this instance is defined as death occurring between ages 30 and 70 from any of the common NCDs”, he said.
The Minister stated that while the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) is currently conducting the National Steps Survey of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), various localized studies in Nigeria have reported high incidences and prevalences of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs). For instance, the prevalence of hypertension has been reported at over 30 percent in certain areas.
He further highlighted statistics related to CVDs in Nigeria, including a stroke incidence of 25.9 per 100,000 persons per year between 2000 and 2015, a coronary heart disease prevalence of 0.7 percent, and a rheumatic heart disease prevalence of 27 per 1,000 children, which disproportionately affects socio-economically disadvantaged populations.
Pate also underscored that the true morbidity and mortality rates attributable to CVDs in Nigeria are likely underestimated due to factors such as inadequate awareness, limited health-seeking behaviors, insufficient screening, diagnostic, and treatment services, and deficient data repositories.
“Given the silent and chronic nature of majority of the CVDs, it is important to institute long-lasting measures to prevent, detect, and manage them early in order to avert complications such as heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and even death.
“Luckily, the risk factors for heart diseases are well known and largely preventable.
“For example, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, sickle cell disease, lipid abnormalities, overweight and obesity, tobacco use, alcohol intake, and insufficient physical activity are significant modifiable and preventable risk factors for heart disease and other NCDs.”
In response to the substantial burden of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs), the federal government has implemented various strategic interventions across different healthcare levels, including tertiary, secondary, and Primary Health Care (PHC) levels. These interventions aim to address the challenges posed by CVDs and improve healthcare services. Key initiatives and policies include:
1. Development of the National NCDs Policy and Multi-Sectoral Action Plan: This policy framework, established in 2019-2025, outlines strategies and actions to tackle Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including CVDs, in Nigeria.
2. Implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 and Regulations 2019: These regulations are enforced to reduce tobacco consumption and minimize exposure to second-hand smoke, contributing to the prevention of CVDs and related health issues.
These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to addressing the growing challenges of CVDs and promoting public health in Nigeria.
“In collaboration with NAFDAC, the Fats and Oil Regulations has been reviewed and gazetted to incorporate Trans-Fatty Acid (TFA). This regulation prescribes TFA at less than two grams (g) per 100g of oil or fat as a start of our transition to a total elimination of TFA by 2030.
“In recognition of the key role of Primary Health Care in the prevention and early detection of diseases, the ministry, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), WHO Country Office, and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), inaugurated the National Hypertension Control Initiative (NHCI) in August 2019.
“This was with focus on strengthening the PHC Centers to prevent and manage simple and uncomplicated hypertension using a simple standard treatment protocol. The protocol was first deployed to PHC centers in November 2020.”
Pate also mentioned that the National Health Insurance Commission (NHCI) has implemented a simplified hypertension treatment protocol in 104 Primary Health Care (PHC) centers across Kano and Ogun States. Furthermore, this protocol is in use at 60 PHC centers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by the University of Abuja Cardiovascular Research Group.
An additional 360 PHC centers in 18 states are utilizing the same protocol under the Healthy Heart Africa Programme in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Population Services International (PSI), and AstraZeneca.
He emphasized the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle to promote heart health, which includes engaging in at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity, avoiding tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke, and limiting alcohol consumption. Additionally, he encouraged Nigerians to consume a nutritious diet that includes a minimum of three to five servings of various fresh fruits and vegetables daily to maintain heart health and longevity.
“In addition, eat a variety of whole grains, lean meat, fish, peas, beans, and lentils.
“Limit processed foods, limit salt intake to less than five grams daily, reduce dietary cholesterol, and avoid industrially produced trans-fats.
“Know your numbers by regularly checking your blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels”, he added.
The Executive Director, NHF, Dr Kingsley Akinroye, while speaking about the AEDs, said that they are sophisticated, lightweight, portable, yet easy-to-use medical devices that can analyse the heart’s rhythm and send electric pulses to a person’s heart.
Also, it helps to restore a normal heartbeat and could be used in hospitals, homes, schools, and public places.
“AEDs are the only way to restore a normal heartbeat when someone is experiencing a cardiac arrest.
“To help someone who is in cardiac arrest survive, a defibrillator needs to be found as quickly as possible.
“Subsequently, NHF will promote the message, advocate for the inclusion of these boxes as an essential package for prevention of deaths resulting from sudden cardiac arrest in public institutions and privately owned organisations such as airports, banks, offices, malls, sports centers, gyms, and schools.”
