President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on world leaders to increase investments and foster robust partnerships in addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and complex mental health challenges. Speaking at the Fourth High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of NCDs and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-Being during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, emphasized the severe threat these conditions pose to productivity, economic stability, and social cohesion, especially in developing nations. He warned that continued global inaction risks worsening existing health and economic inequalities.

Highlighting an alarming trend, President Tinubu noted the rising prevalence of NCDs among younger populations, leading to significant losses in productive years and economic impact. In Nigeria, NCDs now account for nearly 29 percent of all deaths, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive international collaboration.

President Tinubu outlined Nigeria’s proactive initiatives, including the development of a National NCD Policy, a multisectoral action plan, comprehensive treatment guidelines, and targeted legislation addressing key risk factors. The country has expanded health insurance coverage for catastrophic diseases, strengthened the capacity of health professionals, and established six specialized cancer centers of excellence. Notably, Nigeria’s HPV immunization program has successfully vaccinated over 14 million adolescent girls, reaching 96 percent of the target population, as a preventive measure against cervical cancer. Task-shifting policies and robust referral systems are also being utilized to extend essential health services to underserved communities.

On mental health, President Tinubu highlighted the 2023 Mental Health Act, which provides a framework to promote mental well-being, protect patients’ rights, and integrate services into primary healthcare. Nigeria has also developed a focused suicide prevention strategy, aimed at decriminalizing suicide attempts, reducing stigma, and supporting vulnerable populations.

Despite these efforts, President Tinubu acknowledged persistent gaps, including insufficient funding, weak health infrastructure, and challenges in data collection. He urged strengthened global partnerships to address critical access gaps in medicines, health technologies, and public health infrastructure. He further called on international lawmakers to adopt legislative and fiscal measures supporting holistic health reforms and advocated for increased visibility for sickle cell disease, which disproportionately affects African populations.

In conclusion, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to reinforcing health systems, prioritizing preventive care, and ensuring mental health receives the attention it deserves. He expressed confidence that sustained global solidarity and renewed investments can help the international community achieve the goal of reducing premature mortality from NCDs by 2030 while promoting optimal mental health and well-being for all.