LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the government of Nigeria to implement mandatory salt reduction targets.
According to CAPPA, this will address the immediate health risks associated with high salt consumption and also pave the way for long-term benefits in reducing the burden of cardiovascular and other diseases.
Speaking during a one day training on salt reduction for journalists by CAPPA, a facilitator from the University of Abuja, Dr. Jerome Mafeni said there is a need for policy intervention.
His lecture titled “Salt Consumption in Nigeria and the Need for Policy Intervention,” noted that policy intervention will mitigate public health burden such as hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular diseases.
He also noted that reduced salt intake is cost effective in terms of healthcare saving and economic gain and aligns with global health goals.
READ ALSO: CAPPA Proposes N130 Tax Per Litre On Sugary Beverages
According to him, intake of more than the recommemded salt amount can cause high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, kidney damage, stroke, osteoporosis, gastric cancer and more.
He attributed this trend to dietary habits, cultural preferences, and the prevalence of processed and packaged foods.
Mafeni emphasised the need for rigorous advocacy and regulation to combat this pervasive health issue, proposing policy strategies such as setting salt targets, education and awareness campaigns, and food labeling regulations.
Current situation
He noted that currently Nigerian’s daily salt consumption stands at an estimated 5.8 grams, significantly surpassing the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 2 grammes of sodium per day or less than 5 grammes of salt per day, equivalent to just one teaspoon.
“Non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, remain the leading cause of death and disability worldwide,” he said.
READ ALSO: Millions Of Lagosians Lack Access To Potable Water- CAPPA
He highlighted hypertension, primarily attributed to excessive salt intake, as accounting for 12 percent of deaths in Nigeria as he noted that the overall age-standardized prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria is 38.1%.
He also said there is an estimated 100,000 deaths from Cardiovascular Diseases occurred in Nigeria in 2017.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of CAPPA underscored the critical role of the media in promoting a salt reduction campaign aimed at combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria.
Oluwafemi pointed out that Nigeria is currently grappling with a staggering burden of NCDs, a fact corroborated by recent data.
He noted the alarming trend of increased crowdfunding for lifelong diseases associated with NCDs, evident even through social media observations.
“As a health-focused civil society organisation, our duty is to enlighten the public about the perils associated with their dietary choices, particularly when driven by a lack of awareness,” Oluwafemi stressed.
He reiterated CAPPA’s commitment to advocating for relevant legislation to safeguard Nigerians’ health while urging journalists to play a pivotal role in the salt reduction campaign.
Expressing gratitude to partners, including the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) and the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Oluwafemi emphasised the collaborative effort required to address this pressing public health issue.