Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Medical experts and patient advocacy groups have called for increased government funding for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), warning that the rising prevalence of chronic illnesses is placing unsustainable financial pressure on Nigerian households.
The call was made on Friday at the National Hypertension and NCDs Media and Patients Advocacy Orientation, organised by the National NCD Patients Advocacy Group with support from the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL).
Speaking at the event, haematologist Dr Chi-Kadibia Ukoma, Founder of Leukemia Care Plus Initiative and Vice President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, said conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer and sickle cell disease were rapidly overtaking infectious diseases in terms of health and economic impact.
“The burden is enormous. Nearly every household is affected in one way or another, and the cost of managing these conditions is extremely high,” Ukoma said, noting that treatment expenses often result in catastrophic out-of-pocket spending.
He stressed that patient voices in NCD advocacy remain weak and that funding for prevention and care is far below what is required to stem the growing crisis.
Ukoma also urged Nigerians to adopt healthier lifestyles, warning that poor diets, sedentary living and delayed medical screening were driving the surge in chronic diseases.
Representing the Hypertension Society of Nigeria, Mr Tulari Tine said increased funding would improve access to essential medicines, public awareness and early diagnosis, thereby reducing long-term complications.
Also speaking, Mrs Akomah-Charles Ugonna, Executive Director of Benedicx Better Life Initiative, highlighted gaps in NCD data and diagnostic capacity at Primary Health Care (PHC) centres, saying shortages of basic testing materials hinder early detection and referral.
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