Self-care key to curbing Nigeria’s rising disease burden — Experts

Say hospitals can’t cope if Nigerians ignore prevention, rational drug use By Chioma Obinna As Nigeria battles a growing burden of chronic and non-communicable diseases, health experts have called for an urgent shift from hospital-centred healthcare to preventive self-care, warning that the country’s health system and household finances cannot withstand the rising cost of treating preventable illnesses. The wellness experts spoke at the third edition of the D’Bio Wellness and Self-Care Summit in Lagos, where stakeholders stressed that individuals, families, pharmacists, healthcare professionals, communities and policymakers must work together to prevent disease and reduce pressure on hospitals. Delivering the keynote address, Pharm.

Olayinka Subair said the country must move from sickness care to self-care, arguing that many health outcomes are determined long before a patient reaches the consulting room. According to him, self-care rests on five foundations, nutrition, physical activity, mental health, rational use of medicines and risk avoidance. “What you eat, how you move, how you manage stress, how you use drugs, supplements and services wisely, and how you avoid risks like smoking, unsafe practices or skipping screening” are central to health, he said. Subair warned that failure to prioritise prevention would continue to expose Nigerians to avoidable illnesses and enormous treatment costs. He said: “An approach that empowers people, reduces preventable complications and eases the burden on healthcare services is critical. When we support self-care intelligently, we improve outcomes, reduce the cost of treatment and strengthen the community. ” He noted that Nigeria’s primary healthcare system was already under pressure while many patients struggle to access care…