Salma Anas-Kolo Ibrahim, the special adviser to the president on health, has called for urgent action to address the growing issue of hypertension and excessive salt consumption in Nigeria.

Ms Ibrahim made the call on Friday during the investiture ceremony of herself and Olusina  Ajidahun as policy champion and social media influencer for salt target regulations in Nigeria.

The ceremony was organised by the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED).

As the newly appointed policy champion, Ms Ibrahim stressed the need for public education and policy intervention to tackle cardiovascular diseases, placing an enormous strain on the country’s health system.

She highlighted alarming statistics that approximately 38.1 per cent of Nigerian adults suffer from hypertension, equating to one in every three adults.

“This high prevalence, coupled with excessive salt intake, estimated at 10 grams per meal, is double the recommended limit of the World Health Organisation (WHO). It contributes to 10 per cent of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the country,” she said.

She underscored the importance of adhering to the WHO’s sodium consumption guidelines of less than two grams per meal, equivalent to less than one teaspoon of salt.

Ms Ibrahim pointed out that current dietary habits, which heavily rely on salt in home-cooked and processed foods, exacerbate the issue.

“The high sodium intake, compounded by rapid urbanisation and changing lifestyles, underscores the need for urgent and sustained public health interventions,” she said.

Ms Ibrahim expressed her commitment to leveraging her platform to raise awareness about the risks associated with high salt intake and the benefits of reducing it.

She emphasised the need for engagement with stakeholders across various sectors, including government bodies, health professionals, and the private sector, to implement effective policies and regulations.

The special adviser also announced the launch of the “Peabody Youth Campaign for Health,” a programme aimed at educating and mobilising young people to advocate for healthier eating habits.

She vowed to collaborate with social media influencers and other partners to spread vital health information across Nigeria.

(NAN)