Combating Non-Communicable Diseases in Nigeria

In today’s world, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) pose a silent yet devastating threat to global health. Each year, these diseases claim 40 million lives worldwide, accounting for a staggering 70% of all deaths. The burden falls disproportionately on low- and middle-income countries, where over 80% of premature deaths from NCDs occur. Nigeria, our home, is no exception to this alarming trend.

The primary culprits in this health crisis are:

• Cardiovascular Diseases (heart attacks and strokes)
• Cancers
• Respiratory Diseases (such as asthma)
• Diabetes Mellitus

These leading NCDs have left countless families grieving and communities struggling.

The Root Causes

The high mortality rate from NCDs stems from a complex web of factors:

1. Inadequate public awareness and health education
2. Poor healthcare infrastructure
3. Critical shortage of medical specialists
4. Poverty, which severely limits access to quality and timely healthcare

The relationship between poverty and NCDs creates a vicious cycle, threatening progress towards the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Our Response

In the face of these challenges, SmileBuilders Initiative emerged as a beacon of hope. We are a collective of passionate young Africans united by a common goal: to reduce premature deaths from NCDs in Nigeria.

Our approach is multifaceted:

• Educating the public about healthy lifestyle choices
• Providing essential health screenings
• Empowering individuals living with NCDs

Our Mission in Action

Driven by our commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing for All, we’ve implemented a range of interventions:

1. Public Education: Leveraging social media, health talks, and awareness campaigns to spread crucial health information.
2. Preventive Care: Organizing screening programs to catch NCDs early when they’re most treatable.
3. Support Systems: Providing financial and material assistance to children and adults living with NCDs in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Our efforts have yielded tangible results:

• Improved affordability and accessibility of quality healthcare services
• Reduced prevalence of NCDs
• Minimized deaths from these diseases

Looking to the Future

At SmileBuilders Initiative, we’re driven by hope and determination. Our goal aligns with one of the key targets of SDG 3: to reduce premature deaths from NCDs by one-third by 2030.

Every life saved, every smile restored, fuels our passion. We invite you to join us in this crucial mission. Together, we can build a healthier, happier Nigeria – one smile at a time.