The Coordinating Minister for Health & Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Tuesday in Abuja, declared that 29 October is set apart as a day to celebrate health promotion in the country and, elevate awareness on actionable steps to promote and preserve health.
Prof. Pate made this clarion call at the Press Briefing organized by the Family Health Department of the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare in commemoration of the maiden National Health Promotion Day in the country. It is a 3-day event holding from 29 – 31 October 2024 at the Sandralia Hotel venue in Abuja.
The theme is: “Health Promotion: The Catalyst for Sustainable Health and Well-being of Nigerians” with the slogan- “Promoting Healthy Choices for Healthy Lifestyles”.
The Coordinating Minister emphasized the main objective and importance of the Day is to make Nigerians aware of their individual responsibility to prevent diseases from occuring . Some of these non-communicable diseases include hypertension, diabetes cancers, stressing, there are certain actions an individual can as well take to prevent complications from those diseases that are silent killers like hypertension.
Speaking to newsmen, stakeholders and participants, Prof Pate said: “this day is to celebrate health promotion, to produce stock of health for all Nigerians. Because even if you are healthy today, there are steps that you can take to promote your health, to preserve your health. Because by the time you get sick, it’s probably too late.
Continuing, he stated that the day was deliberately chosen to educate Nigerians, to be aware that there are things we can do. This , he pointed out, include making sure women go to antenatal care, go to hospital to prevent maternal mortality and, get their children immunized to prevent diseases like measles.
Speaking on existing collaboration with State Governments and Local Government levels, the Coordinating Minister affirmed that the 36 State Commissioners of Health and Federal Capital City are partnering the Federal Government to ‘Launch the Know Your Number, and Control your Number’ campaign across the nation to prevent complications arising from those diseases that are silent killers like hypertension.
“For all adults, check your blood pressure, check your glucose, check your cholesterol, track it. If you have an issue, go to the provider. Because even if you have hypertension or diabetes, you can treat it before it gets complicated. So that Nigerians that are healthy today will increase in number and less and less of us will be sick”, Prof. Pate added.
In her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom mni, represented by Dr. Olubunmi Aribeani, Director Food and Drugs in the Ministry, acknowledged the importance of promoting health literacy amongst Nigerians.
She stated further that health promotion is an effective tool for individual and collective health actions aimed at preventing diseases, improving the health and well-being of the populace.
Delivering his goodwill message at the event, the World Health Organization Country Representative to Nigeria Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, commended the Coordinating Minister and his team for leadership and commitment to prioritizing Health Promotion in the Health Sector Renewal Initiative through Sector Wide Approach ( SWAp).
He affirmed that the theme of the Maiden National Health Promotion is well aligned to World Health Assembly resolution 76.7 which member states including Nigeria adopted in May, last year 2023.
Several goodwill messages were delivered by notable government officials, Development Partners/ Donors and civil society organizations.
Highpoints of the opening ceremony included the unveiling of Logo for the National Health Promotion and, recognition/commission of National Health Promotion Ambassadors NHA and Champions NHC by the Coordinating Minister for Health & Social Welfare Prof Muhammad Ali Pate.
Signed
Alaba Balogun
Head, Information & PR
