Professor Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has issued a warning to Nigerians about the dangers of excessive salt and sodium intake, highlighting the risks of hypertension and heart diseases.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja to mark the 2024 Salt Awareness Week, themed “It’s Time to Shine the Spotlight on Salt,” Pate, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms. Daju Kachollom, emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to increasing public awareness about the health risks associated with high salt consumption.
Pate revealed that excess sodium intake is responsible for at least 10 percent of cardiovascular disease deaths in Nigeria.
He pointed out that Nigerian adults consume an estimated 2.3 to 10 grams of dietary sodium daily, and 5.8 to 25 grams of dietary salt daily, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limits of 2 grams of sodium and 5 grams of salt per day.
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He said: “Nigeria is not immune to the global epidemic of hypertension and heart diseases.
“The choices we make at our dining tables, the ingredients we stir into our pots; and the snacks we consume at a moments of leisure; all contribute to the silent escalation of health risks, associated with high salt intake.
Citing a WHO report, Pate said that about 17.9 million lives were claimed, as salt intake had a far-reaching impact on the death, through High Blood Pressure, heart attack and stroke.
He said that implementing sodium reduction strategies could lead to significant healthcare savings, and also prevent costly medical treatments for diseases caused by high sodium intake.
Pate said that the federal government had embarked on several initiatives to curtail excessive salt intake and bring about healthier Nigeria.
WHO Country Representative, Dr Walter Mulombo, also said that excess salt consumption was linked to gastric cancer and kidney disease.
Mulombo, who was represented by National Progressional Officer on Nutrition, WHO, Dr Pindar Wakawa, said the global average intake of sodium was more than the double what WHO recommended.
He called for urgent public health message to enable people take precaution against salt and sodium consumption.
NAN
