By Iroyin Yoruba Television
Health experts and public-health advocates in Nigeria are calling for stronger action against cardiovascular disease, with particular emphasis on early screening, prevention and affordable access to treatment.
The call came during activities marking World Heart Day 2026, as health professionals highlighted the growing burden of heart disease and the challenges many Nigerians face in detecting and treating cardiovascular conditions.
In Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, called for stronger efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease, improve early detection and expand access to treatment.
His message was delivered on his behalf by the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Mohammed Bulama, during a World Heart Day commemoration organised by the Heart Recovery Foundation.
EARLY DETECTION REMAINS A PRIORITY
Health experts at the events stressed that cardiovascular disease should not be addressed only after patients develop severe symptoms.
They called for screening to become more accessible at the primary healthcare level so that conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors can be identified earlier.
Professor Amam Mbakwem, a cardiologist and Vice-President of the World Heart Federation, said cardiovascular screening should be integrated into existing primary healthcare services rather than creating an entirely separate system.
She explained that functioning primary healthcare facilities equipped with basic diagnostic tools could help identify people at risk before their conditions become more serious.
Such tools can include equipment for measuring blood pressure, blood sugar and weight, alongside other basic assessments.
MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW THEY ARE AT RISK
One of the difficulties associated with cardiovascular disease is that some risk factors can exist without obvious symptoms.
A person may continue with normal daily activities while having high blood pressure or another condition that increases the risk of serious cardiovascular complications.
Early screening can therefore provide an opportunity for healthcare professionals to identify risks and advise patients before complications occur.
Health experts say prevention should include healthier lifestyles, regular physical activity, appropriate nutrition, avoidance of tobacco and attention to conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
The emphasis on prevention is particularly important as Nigeria's population grows and demand for healthcare services increases.
COST OF MEDICINES REMAINS A CHALLENGE
Access to treatment remains another major concern.
Professor Enjiroghene Umuerri, Secretary-General of the Nigerian Cardiac Society, said the cost of cardiovascular medicines remains high partly because most of the medicines used to treat these conditions are imported.
She called for greater local production of essential cardiovascular medicines in Nigeria.
Increasing domestic pharmaceutical production could potentially reduce some import-related costs and make important medicines more accessible to patients.
She also advocated the inclusion of fixed-dose combinations in the country's Essential Medicines List.
Such medicines can combine multiple active ingredients into a single tablet, potentially simplifying treatment for patients who require more than one medication.
LINKING DIAGNOSIS TO TREATMENT
Professor Umar Abubakar, a cardiothoracic surgeon and President of the Nigerian Association of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons, said diagnosis alone was not enough.
He called for stronger systems capable of connecting patients who are diagnosed with cardiovascular conditions to timely and affordable treatment.
This includes sustainable financing, stronger local medical capacity, better health data and closer cooperation between government institutions, hospitals and civil-society organisations.
The issue is particularly important for families dealing with serious heart conditions that require specialist intervention.
Without affordable access to treatment, early diagnosis may not translate into improved outcomes for patients.
HEART HEALTH AND CHILDREN
The World Heart Day activities also drew attention to children living with heart conditions.
The Heart Recovery Foundation highlighted cases involving children who received assistance for cardiac treatment and surgery.
The organisation said its work combines health education, cardiovascular screening, medical consultations and support for patients who cannot afford treatment.
The focus on children reflects the wider need to identify congenital and other cardiovascular conditions early.
For families, the cost of specialist cardiac treatment can be a significant burden, particularly when complex surgery or prolonged medical care is required.
Support programmes can help some families obtain treatment while also drawing attention to gaps in access to specialised healthcare.
NIGERIA HOSTS GLOBAL HEART-HEALTH ATTENTION
Nigeria has received particular international attention during the 2026 World Heart Day activities.
The World Heart Federation identified Abuja as a major centre for this year's global campaign, while health experts have used the occasion to highlight cardiovascular conditions that receive comparatively limited attention.
The federation has also placed particular emphasis this year on neglected cardiovascular diseases and the need to ensure that patients are not left behind because of where they live or their ability to pay for treatment.
Nigeria's role in the campaign has provided an opportunity for local health professionals to highlight the country's own cardiovascular challenges.
THE ROLE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION
The Minister of Information also emphasised the importance of reliable health information.
He urged Nigerians to have access to understandable information about healthy living, cardiovascular risk factors and warning signs that should prompt medical attention.
Accurate public information can help people recognise potential risks and seek professional care earlier.
It can also counter misinformation that may discourage people from seeking appropriate treatment or encourage unsafe approaches to managing serious medical conditions.
Health professionals and government agencies therefore have a shared responsibility to ensure that public-health messages are accurate, accessible and practical.
A BROADER HEALTHCARE CHALLENGE
The discussion around cardiovascular disease reflects wider challenges facing Nigeria's healthcare system.
The country needs sufficient primary healthcare capacity for early detection, specialist facilities for complicated cases, trained healthcare professionals, affordable medicines and sustainable financing.
Improving only one part of the system may not be enough.
A patient may receive an early diagnosis but still struggle to obtain medicines. Another may require specialist treatment that is unavailable nearby. A third may delay seeking care because of cost or lack of awareness.
Health experts are therefore calling for a coordinated approach that links prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and long-term care.
THE MESSAGE FOR NIGERIANS
The World Heart Day discussions have placed prevention and early action at the centre of Nigeria's cardiovascular-health conversation.
Health professionals are encouraging Nigerians to pay attention to risk factors, undergo appropriate health checks and seek medical attention when warning signs appear.
At the same time, experts are asking government and other stakeholders to make screening, medicines and specialist treatment more accessible.
The long-term objective is to reduce preventable illness and deaths while ensuring that Nigerians diagnosed with cardiovascular conditions can obtain the care they need.
For health authorities and medical professionals, the message from this year's campaign is that awareness must be accompanied by practical access to screening and treatment.
As Nigeria continues to face increasing demand for healthcare services, strengthening cardiovascular prevention and care will remain an important part of protecting the health of the population.