NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI/Lafia
Diseases related to the cardiovascular system are spiking and thus account for more deaths in Nigerian than other illnesses that government spends resources on. The Commissioner for Health, Nasarawa State, Dr. Gaza Gwamna, stated this at a news briefing on Monday in Lafia.
“We have been bothering ourselves with malaria, HIV and other disease. But let me tell you, cardiovascular diseases are killing us more,” He told newsmen at a briefing to mark four important dates in the healthcare calendar. These days, he noted, include; The International Day of the Heart, International Mental Health Day, International Rabies Day and the International Day of the Girl Child.
Elaborating further, said the heart is a perhaps one of the two most vital components part of the body. “Even a layman knows the importance of the heart. Sometimes, we are left to debate between the heart and the brain, which is more important. Both of them are. Sometimes if the heart packs up, you can do something to resuscitate it but if the brain packs up, there is nothing to do.” He noted that it is for the benefit of reversing the rising trend of deaths associated with the heart, that awareness is being created for people to care for their hearts by indulging in good health practices, especially diet and exercises.
As part of efforts to check the havoc done by the diseases, Dr. Gwamna said the state government is keying into the Project 10 million of the Federal government to screen Nigerians to see the spread of the condition. He said Nasarawa will have about two hundred and fifty thousand residents screened for high blood pressure, diabetes and other condition, which give a clue to the existence of a cardiovascular condition.
On mental health, Dr. Gwamna said the hospitals have observed an increase in the number of people manifesting signs of mental ill-health, he said a large number are even unreported. He encouraged residents to be observant because the condition has been exacerbated by the current harsh economic realities in the country. He called for the exposition of prognosis that align mental to superstition and religion. He also implored people to check their mental health regularly and be sure of their wellbeing.
Speaking on the Day of the Girl Child, Gwamna said the theme for the year, Girls Vision for the Future is timely. He said the future of the girl-child is impacted by conflict, climate change, social malpractices and other factors. He called on the society to “Treat them [girl child] just as we treat the boys. He said the Nasarawa State government has domesticated legislations and provided other equal opportunity incentives to ensure that the female children are at par with their male counterparts.
On the Rabies, Gwamna stressed the importance of vaccination and awareness creation as a way of tackling this killer-disease. Speaking on this year’s theme, “Breaking the Rabies Boundary,” he called on people to take care of their pet animals and ensure that they are free of this disease which attacks the brain and the nervous system before killing its victim. Listed as a neglected tropical disease, rabies is commonly transmitted by dogs but also borne by other infected animals. It is believed that once signs begin to manifest in its victim, the chances of survival are trimmed beyond remedy within ten days.