Why you should regularly screen for non-communicable diseases – Dr Tor-Ayiin

Dr Iorfa Tor-Ayiin, a Consultant Family Physician at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, has advised Nigerians to undertake regular medical check-ups to prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Tor-Ayiin gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the closing session of the 9th Annual Abuja Cardiovascular Symposium (ACS) in Abuja.

The symposium, themed “Hypertension, Diabetes and Heart Disease: Domesticating Global Solutions to Nigeria’s Deadly Trio,” was organised by Cardiocare Multi-Specialty Hospital, a subsidiary of Limi Hospital, Abuja.

NAN reports that the two-day event attracted medical professionals across various health disciplines.

Tor-Ayiin said the symposium focused on hypertension, diabetes and heart disease because they have become the leading causes of death among non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.

“Previously, people mainly died from infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and gastroenteritis.

“Today, lifestyle-related diseases like diabetes and hypertension are responsible for most deaths. These are conditions people do not contract from others but develop due to lifestyle choices and ageing”.

He explained that the rising burden of NCDs made continuous training for health workers essential.

“These diseases are not new, but their prevalence is increasing. This symposium is meant to refresh the knowledge of health workers on how best to manage diabetes, hypertension and heart failure,” he said.