Tinubu Urges Global Action On NCDs, Mental Health At UNGA
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health challenges are fast emerging as silent epidemics, draining economies and cutting lives short across the developing world.
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has therefore called on world leaders to scale up investments and partnerships to confront the crisis.
Speaking at the Fourth High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of NCDs and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-Being during the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, Tinubu, represented by Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, warned that the twin challenges threaten productivity, economic stability and social cohesion.
“NCDs now account for nearly 29 per cent of all deaths in Nigeria, with alarming prevalence among the young,” he said, stressing the urgent need for global solidarity.
The President outlined Nigeria’s efforts, including a National NCD Policy, the expansion of health insurance for catastrophic diseases, six new cancer centres of excellence, and HPV vaccination for over 14 million adolescent girls.
On mental health, he pointed to the 2023 Mental Health Act and a national suicide prevention strategy focused on decriminalisation and support for vulnerable groups.
While acknowledging progress, Tinubu admitted that gaps in funding, infrastructure and data remain.
He urged stronger international collaboration to improve access to medicines and health technologies, while also calling for greater attention to sickle cell disease, which disproportionately affects Africa.
“With renewed investments, we can reduce premature mortality from NCDs by 2030 and ensure mental health receives the prominence it deserves,” Tinubu affirmed.
